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An Act To Amend the Definition of Health Care Facility To Include Hospice Facilities
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  it is imperative that funding be available as soon as practicable so that hospice facilities may begin to provide end-of-life care for those individuals in need of such care; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §2053, sub-§3-A,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 407, §1, is further amended to read:
 
3-A. Health care facility.   "Health care facility" means a nursing home that is, or will be upon completion, licensed under chapter 405; a residential care facility that is, or will be upon completion, licensed under chapter 1663; a continuing care retirement community that is, or will be upon completion, licensed under Title 24-A, chapter 73; an assisted living facility that is, or will be upon completion, licensed under chapter 1664; a hospital; a community mental health facility; a scene response air ambulance licensed under Title 32, chapter 2-B and the rules adopted thereunder; a facility of a hospice program that is, or will be upon completion, licensed under chapter 1681; or a community health center.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the Maine Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority Act to authorize the financing of hospice facilities.