130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1344		LR 404(02)
	An Act To Clarify the Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services during a Public Health Emergency
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Health and Human Services
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund Potential current biennium revenue impact - General Fund
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
	This bill may increase the number of civil suits filed in the court system. The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require additional funding at this time. The collection of additional filing fees may increase General Fund and other dedicated revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to impose administrative fines and license suspensions for violations of DHHS rules regarding disease control and public health emergencies. The DHHS is also authorized to close a business or entity when that business or entity directly and repeatedly violates public health control measures during an extreme public health emergency. The DHHS may incur legal costs because of closure actions. Any increase in fine and penalty revenue may be offset by loss of sales tax and income tax revenue from closed businesses. No estimate is made at this time on the number and length of business closures that may be imposed by the DHHS.