Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 250-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 250-A

HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN SCREENING FUND

§851.__Human Leukocyte Antigen Screening Fund

1.__Creation of fund.__The Human Leukocyte Antigen Screening Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established as a nonlapsing fund to support bone marrow screening drives.__ Money in the fund not needed to meet current obligations may be deposited with the Treasurer of State to the credit of the fund and may be invested as provided by law.__Interest on these investments must be credited to the fund.__Money in the fund must be used to support the cost of conducting bone marrow screening drives by eligible individuals or organizations that conduct bone marrow screening drives.

2.__Administration.__The department shall administer the fund and shall adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A necessary to administer the fund and to determine the criteria for eligible recipients.

3.__Funding.__A private health insurance provider in the State shall pay to the department an annual fee of 25__for every person that the provider insures in the State.__The department shall deposit to the fund the fees collected under this subsection.

4.__Other funds.__The fund may receive money from any source, including grants, gifts, bequests and donations.__Funds appropriated and money received for the benefit of the fund must be deposited to the fund.

SUMMARY

This bill creates the Human Leukocyte Antigen Screening Fund to help cover the costs of screening and registration for bone marrow donors.