2.__Eligibility.__Residents of the island communities served by the Maine State Ferry Service are eligible for free transportation services when traveling to and from regularly scheduled, medically necessary appointments with medical care providers if those appointments pertain to a catastrophic illness.__Free transportation services under this section are not available for routine visits to medical care providers or to meet transportation needs arising from an emergency, medical or otherwise.__Free transportation services under this section are available only upon approved application.__Reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to application for services pursuant to this section is prohibited.

3.__Rulemaking authorized.__The Maine State Ferry Service may, pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, adopt rules necessary to interpret and administer this section.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.__The ferry service also may develop, adopt, use and from time to time amend forms for use in connection with the administration of this section.__The development, adoption, use and amendment of these forms is exempt from the rule-making process.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill allows residents of the island communities served by the Maine State Ferry Service free transportation services when traveling to and from regularly scheduled, medically necessary appointments with medical care providers on the mainland if these appointments pertain to a catastrophic illness.