Sec. 4. 26 MRSA c. 19, sub-c. 2, art. 7, as amended, is repealed.

Sec. 5. Transition provisions.

1. The Commission for the Blind is the successor in every way to the powers, duties and functions of the former Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired within the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.

2. All existing rules, regulations and procedures in effect, in operation or adopted in or by the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired or any of its administrative units or officers are hereby declared in effect and continue in effect until rescinded, revised or amended by the proper authority.

3. All existing contracts, agreements and compacts currently in effect in the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired continue in effect until they expire.

4. Any positions authorized and allocated subject to the personnel laws, except the director, to the former division are transferred to the Commission for the Blind and may continue to be authorized.

5. All records, property and equipment previously belonging to or allocated for the use of the former division become, on the effective date of this Act, part of the property of the commission.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Commission for the Blind to report directly to the Governor. Under the bill, the commission is the successor to the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as that division is repealed in this bill. This commission will assist the Governor in the formulation, coordination and management of policy regarding services for and issues having an impact on those who are blind or visually impaired or are family members of