CHAPTER 78
S.P. 134 - L.D. 397
Resolve, To Create the Study Group To Examine an Emergency Alert Notification System for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Individuals
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Study Group to Examine an Emergency Alert Notification System for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Individuals needs to be established to study the development of an emergency alert notification system to protect the safety of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals; and
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature; 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 preserva-tion of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Study group established. Resolved: That the Study Group to Examine an Emergency Alert Notification System for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Individuals, referred to in this resolve as "the study group," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Study group membership. Resolved: That the study group consists of 17 members appointed as follows:
1. The Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management;
2. A representative of the deaf community, appointed by the Governor;
3. The Director of the Division of Deafness within the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services;
4. A representative of the emergency services committee created by the Division of Deafness, recommended by the Director of the Division of Deafness and appointed by the Governor;
5. The Director of the Emergency Services Communications Bureau within the Department of Public Safety or the director's designee;
6. A person employed by the office of the Chief Information Officer within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services who serves on Homeland Security Initiative III, recommended by the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services and appointed by the Governor;
7. A representative of the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;
8. A person employed in the Department of Labor knowledgeable about the requirements of the federal Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, recommended by the Commissioner of Labor and appointed by the Governor;
9. Two persons knowledgeable in the subject of closed captioning on commercial television broadcasts, appointed by the Governor;
10. A representative of the Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation, appointed by the Governor;
11. Two representatives of municipal emergency service providers, appointed by the Governor;
12. A representative of state or local law enforcement, appointed by the Governor;
13. A person with expertise in telephone and pager technology, appointed by the Governor; and
14. Two persons with technical expertise in emergency notification systems and state-of-the-art technologies relevant to the subject of the study, appointed by the Governor; and be it further
Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: That the Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management shall serve as chair; and be it further
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of study group. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chair shall call and convene the first meeting of the study group; and be it further
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the study group shall:
1. Study the development of emergency alert systems for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals for all types of emergencies, including weather-related emergencies;
2. Develop recommendations for establishing or improving emergency alert systems for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals;
3. Compile and evaluate information relevant to the subject of the study;
4. Seek input and information from any state agencies with expertise relevant to the subject of the study;
5. Invite public comments and testimony during the development of its recommendation; and
6. Invite participation from any interested members of the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy; and be it further
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Maine Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management shall provide staff assistance to the study group. The study group may request of the Legislative Council assistance from the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis in drafting any legislation the study group proposes; and be it further
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That members of the study group are not entitled to a per diem or reimbursement for expenses related to their participation in the work of the study group; and be it further
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 21, 2003, the study group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature. The study group is authorized to introduce a bill related to its report to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature at the time of submission of its report.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.
Effective June 17, 2003.
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