CHAPTER 493

H.P. 1242 - L.D. 1734

An Act To Increase Accessibility to Health Insurance

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, persons who have legally immigrated to Maine are being denied access to private health insurance; and

Whereas, the definition of "legally domiciled" in current insurance law needs to be broadened to allow persons who have legally immigrated to Maine and reside in Maine to have access to individual health insurance; and

Whereas, this legislation will expand the definitions in the insurance law so that persons who have legally immigrated will now be eligible for individual health insurance; 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. 24-A MRSA §2736-C, sub-§1, śC-1, as amended by PL 1999, c. 256, Pt. C, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place: