Whereas, foster parents are providing invaluable service to the State by caring for our most needy children; and

Whereas, foster parent reimbursement has not been increased for years, causing a gap between actual costs and the level of reimbursement provided by the State; 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. 22 MRSA §4005-C, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 715, Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

§4005-C. Rights of persons who are not parties

The foster parent of a child, if any, and any preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child must be provided notice of, the right to attend and an opportunity to be heard in any review or hearing to be held with respect to the child. The right to be heard includes the right to testify but does not include the right to present other witnesses or evidence, to attend any other portion of the review or hearing or to have access to pleadings or records. This section may not be construed to require that any foster parent, preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child be made a party to the review or hearing solely on the basis of the notice and opportunity to be heard.

Sec. 2. Rate of reimbursement. The Department of Human Services shall increase the rate of reimbursement for foster and preadoptive parents by 15% from the current rate beginning July 1, 1999.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect July 1, 1999.