CHAPTER 51

H.P. 399 - L.D. 523

An Act Authorizing the Public Utilities Commission To

Designate a Sole Provider of 2-1-1 Information and

Referral Services in Maine

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

Whereas, on July 21, 2000 the Federal Communications Commission determined that there was sufficient public benefit to justify the use of a scarce public resource to assign 2-1-1 to be used for access to community information and referral services; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that the implementation of a single, easy-to-use telephone number, 2-1-1, for public access to information and referral for health and human services and disaster-related information will benefit the citizens of this State by providing easier access to available health and human services, by reducing inefficiencies in connecting people with the desired service providers and by reducing duplication of effort; and

Whereas, the Legislature further finds that there is currently no entity authorized to provide information and referral services in Maine using the FCC-reserved 2-1-1 telephone number; and

Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission has determined that it has no jurisdiction to designate an information and referral service provider entitled to use the 2-1-1 telephone number in this State; and