4.__Rulemaking.__Rules adopted to implement this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §257, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 653, Pt. C, §2 and affected by §3, is amended to read:

§257. Health workforce forum

The department shall convene at least once annually a health workforce forum to review the report developed under section 256 and discuss health care workforce issues. The forum must include representatives of health professionals, licensing boards and, employers, health education programs and the Department of Labor. The forum shall:

1. Inventory. Develop an inventory of present health workforce and educational programs; and

2. Research. Develop research and analytical methods for understanding population-based health care needs on an ongoing basis.

Through the forum, the department shall serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to health workforce issues. The department shall use the information gathered through the forum to develop its health policy and planning decisions authorized under this Title and to make appropriate policy recommendations based on its analysis of the health care workforce. The department shall post its annual report and recommendations on a publicly accessible site on the Internet maintained by the department by December 31st of each year, beginning in 2006.

Sec. 4. Funding; existing emergency preparedness funds. The Department of Health and Human Services shall contract with the Department of Labor and others as appropriate to undertake the research required under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, sections 256-A and 256-B. The Department of Health and Human Services shall coordinate this effort and shall fund any contracts awarded under this section using existing federal