An Act To Improve the Operations of the Office of the Attorney General

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  services contracted for by the Office of the Attorney General need to be paid for prior to the end of fiscal year 2013-14, which will likely fall within the 90-day period; 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,

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE

Administration - Attorney General 0310

Initiative: Establishes one Research Assistant position to function as a trial preparation assistant in the Criminal Division.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	0.000	1.000
Personal Services	$0	$65,996
All Other	$0	$4,519
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$70,515

Administration - Attorney General 0310

Initiative: Establishes one part-time Research Assistant position to serve as the Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel Coordinator.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	0.000	0.500
Personal Services	$0	$30,990
All Other	$0	$8,164
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$39,154

Chief Medical Examiner - Office of 0412

Initiative: Provides funds for statutorily authorized payments to medical examiners and reimbursements to funeral homes.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	$50,000	$50,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$50,000	$50,000

Chief Medical Examiner - Office of 0412

Initiative: Provides funds for contracted forensic pathologist services.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15
All Other	$47,000	$64,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$47,000	$64,000

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

SUMMARY

This bill funds a position within the Office of the Attorney General as well as a part-time position to serve as the Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel Coordinator. Additionally, this bill appropriates funds necessary to allow the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to provide for statutorily authorized payments to medical examiners, reimbursement to funeral homes and funds for contracted forensic pathologist services necessary for the operation of the office.