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B. A rule may not be adopted unless the adopted rule is | consistent with the terms of the proposed rule, except to | the extent that the agency determines that it is necessary | to address concerns raised in comments about the proposed | rule, or specific findings are made supporting changes to | the proposed rule. The agency shall maintain a file for | each rule adopted that must include, in addition to other | documents required by this Act, testimony, comments, the | names of persons who commented and the organizations they | represent and information relevant to the rule and | considered by the agency in connection with the | formulation, proposal or adoption of a rule. If an agency | determines that a rule that the agency intends to adopt is | substantially different from the proposed rule, the agency | shall request comments from the public concerning the | changes from the proposed rule. The agency may not adopt | the rule for a period of 30 days from the date comments are | requested pursuant to this paragraph. Notice of the | request for comments must be published by the Secretary of | State in the same manner as notice for proposed or adopted | rules. |
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| C. If the adoption under this subsection is final | adoption of a major substantive rule under subchapter II-A | 2-A, the agency must include in its written statement | citation of the legislative act authorizing final adoption | of that rule; or, if authorization is the result of | failure of the Legislature to act under section 8072, | subsection 7, the agency must indicate that fact and | identify the date the agency filed the rule for review | under section 8072. |
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| | Sec. 5. 5 MRSA §8052, sub-§5-B is enacted to read: |
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| | 5-B.__Rules affecting social and mental health services.__In | adopting rules, an agency proposing rules that affect social | and mental health services provided to the State or its | citizens through, but not limited to, the Department of Human | Services, the Department of Behavioral and Developmental | Services, the Department of Corrections and the Department of | Education shall seek to reduce any economic burdens or | reduction in services by taking into account the resources | available to those agencies.__An agency shall seek to reduce | any economic burdens through flexible or simplified reporting | requirements if they are applicable. |
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| | Sec. 6. 5 MRSA §8052, sub-§6, as amended by PL 1993, c. 362, §3, is | further amended to read: |
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| | 6. Effective date. No rule, except emergency rules adopted | under section 8054, becomes effective until at least 5 days | after |
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