Whereas, the Committee to Study the Benefits and Costs for Increasing Access to Family and Medical Leave for Maine Families was created by joint order in the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature; and

Whereas, members of that committee found that they had insufficient information with which to make a recommendation following their first period of work; and

Whereas, a thoughtful recommendation based on sufficient information on the issue of paid family and medical leave is important to both employees and employers in the State; and

Whereas, members of the committee desire to continue their work in the interim following the adjournment of the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature and to convene as quickly as possible to provide for continuity of the study; and

Whereas, passage of this resolve will enable the committee to submit legislation to the First Regular Session of the 121st Legislature; 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. Committee established. Resolved: That the Committee to Continue to Study the Benefits and Costs for Increasing Access to Family and Medical Leave for Maine Families, referred to in this resolve as the "committee," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Committee membership. Resolved: That the committee consists of 15 members:

1. Seven members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:

A. One Senator;

B. One representative of employers in the health care industry;