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

Whereas,  young adults who were formerly in foster care are eligible for MaineCare coverage beginning January 1, 2014 and are in need of coverage immediately through state-funded MaineCare benefits to ensure their health, safety and prosperity; and

Whereas,  outreach, identification and enrollment of young adults who were formerly in foster care must begin in July 2013 in order to cover this population from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013; 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

Sec. 1. State-funded MaineCare coverage for eligible foster children. Resolved: That from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide coverage under the MaineCare program funded entirely from the General Fund for an eligible foster child. For the purposes of this section, "eligible foster child" means a young adult who was formerly in foster care and was a member of the MaineCare program on the date of that person's 18th birthday or of that person's emancipation if that date is between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2013. In undertaking this initiative the department shall also establish a process for enrollment and shall undertake a thorough and informative outreach campaign to eligible foster children and the general public. The department shall notify all persons serving as foster parents from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2013. In undertaking this initiative the department shall:

1. To the extent possible identify all eligible foster children;

2. Review all of the department's major databases, including the Automated Client Eligibility System operated in the Bureau of Family Independence within the department, for the most recent mailing addresses and contact information of eligible foster children;

3. Provide notice of eligibility in plain language to all eligible foster children identified under subsections 1 and 2 and all eligible foster children who otherwise come to the attention of the department; and

4. Establish and implement a process for streamlined enrollment and provide to each eligible foster child a card indicating coverage under the MaineCare program, an explanation of MaineCare benefits and notice of future renewal requirements; and be it further

Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)

Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147

Initiative: Provides funding for the costs of providing state-funded coverage under the MaineCare program for the period of July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 for young adults 19 to 25 years of age who were in child welfare custody and were eligible for MaineCare when they turned 19.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	$667,854	$0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$667,854	$0

Office for Family Independence Z020

Initiative: Provides funding for the eligibility system costs of providing state-funded coverage under the MaineCare program for the period of July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 for young adults 19 to 25 years of age who were in child welfare custody and were eligible for MaineCare when they turned 19.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	$2,690	$0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$2,690	$0

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	$2,690	$0
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$2,690	$0

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2013-14	2014-15
GENERAL FUND	$670,544	$0
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$2,690	$0
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$673,234	$0

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