An Act To Require Public Health Impact Statements for Certain Legislation

Sec. 1. 3 MRSA c. 39  is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 39

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT STATEMENTS

§ 1111.  Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

§ 1112.  Public health impact statements

When requested by the chairs of a committee, the department shall prepare and provide to the committee an impact statement for the legislation being considered by the committee. The department shall provide the impact statement no later than the work session scheduled for that legislation.

summary

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, when requested by the chairs of a joint standing committee of the Legislature, to prepare and provide a public health impact statement for legislation before the committee. The public health impact statement must include the potential positive and negative public health effects of the legislation and considerations necessary to the decision-making process regarding the legislation and provide practical recommendations to increase the positive health effects and minimize negative health effects of the legislation.