Whereas, the Commissioner of Public Safety through the Emergency Services Communications Bureau is currently in the final stages of implementing an enhanced 9-1-1 emergency services communication system throughout the State; and

Whereas, the Emergency Services Communications Bureau already has designated communications centers in several communities across the State as public safety answering points, or PSAPs; and

Whereas, the Emergency Services Communications Bureau is currently scheduled to activate the enhanced 9-1-1 system in Sagadahoc County by April 1, 2001; and

Whereas, the Topsham Communications Center in the Town of Topsham has not been designated a PSAP and is not likely to be designated a PSAP by the Emergency Services Communications Bureau in the future; and

Whereas, the Topsham Communications Center, in the judgment of local municipal and emergency services officials, should be designated as a PSAP; 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. Topsham Communications Center designated public safety answering point. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25, section 2926, subsection 2 or of any policy or rule adopted by the Department of Public Safety, the Topsham Communications Center in the Town of Topsham is designated a public safety answering point as defined in Title 25, section 2921, subsection 7, for the purposes of providing enhanced 9-1-1 service to certain communities in Sagadahoc County.

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