Whereas, there is a shortfall between budgeted nursing facility payments and the allowable costs of nursing facilities of approximately $5,600,000; and

Whereas, it is imperative to the health and well-being of Maine's elderly and disabled that this revenue deficiency be corrected as soon as possible; 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 §1812-G, sub-§6 is enacted to read:

6.__Accessibility; duties of registry.__The Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants, referred to in this subsection as the "registry," must be accessible by telephone for no fewer than 9 hours per day on each business day of the year and during those hours shall provide information upon request of any residential care facility, nursing facility, nurse aid staffing agency or a nurse aid registry maintained by another state, as follows.

A.__Within 30 minutes of a telephone inquiry, the registry shall provide orally, by telephone:

(1)__Verification that an individual is a certified nursing assistant; and

(2)__A statement of any findings of resident abuse, mistreatment or neglect or criminal conviction by a nursing assistant pertinent to care or treatment of residents or protection of resident property that are on file with the registry.

B.__The registry shall provide the following information in writing within 3 days of a written request or telephone inquiry:

(1)__Verification that an individual is a certified nursing assistant, the individual's certification number and date of certification or recertification;