Whereas, the section of law allowing foster parents, preadoptive parents or relatives providing care for a child to attend a review or hearing will be repealed on July 1, 2000; and

Whereas, this legislation needs to be an emergency so that it will take effect before July 1, 2000; 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, 2nd ¶, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 189, §1, is amended to read:

The foster parent of a child, if any, and any preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child may attend a review or hearing in its entirety under this section unless specifically excluded by decision of the presiding judge. This paragraph is repealed July 1, 2000.

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

SUMMARY

This bill removes the repealer on the section of law allowing foster parents, preadoptive parents or relatives providing care for a child to attend a review or hearing that is held with respect to the child.