Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §7108 is enacted to read:

§7108.__Use of 2-1-1 number; designation of sole entity entitled

to use

The commission may designate an appropriate entity to be the sole entity entitled to use the 2-1-1 telephone number assigned by the Federal Communications Commission to be used for access to information and referral services.__ A designation may not extend for more than 3 years but may be renewed by the commission, after review, for successive periods of up to 3 years each.__There is no limit on the number of times the commission may renew a designation of the same entity pursuant to this section.__Before making a designation or renewing a designation, the commission shall determine that the designation or renewal is in the public interest.__The commission may consult with appropriate state and local agencies and other public or private entities before granting a designation or renewing a designation.__The commission may suspend, revoke, terminate or modify a designation if the commission determines the public interest is no longer served by the designation or in response to actions by the Federal Communications Commission that affect the availability or assigned use of the 2-1-1 number.

Sec. 2. Initial designation of 2-1-1 service provider. Within 60 days of the effective date of this act or the receipt by the Public Utilities Commission of a request from an entity for a designation pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 7108, whichever is later, the commission shall make a designation pursuant to that section, provided the commission determines that the designation satisfies the requirements of that section.

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

Effective April 20, 2005.