Resolve, To Study the Feasibility of Allowing Dispatchers To Transfer E-9-1-1 Calls to Emergency Responders in Other States

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

Whereas,  it is necessary that this legislation take effect immediately in order to allow sufficient time for the task force convened pursuant to this resolve to conduct its work and the Department of Public Safety to report to the First Regular Session of the 127th 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. Transfer E-9-1-1 calls to out-of-state emergency responders. Resolved: That the Department of Public Safety, with the assistance of the Public Utilities Commission, shall convene a task force to study the feasibility of allowing E-9-1-1 dispatchers in the State to transfer emergency calls to emergency dispatchers in other states. The department shall submit the task force's recommendations and any necessary implementing legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public safety matters no later than December 3, 2014 for consideration by the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature. The joint standing committee may report out a bill to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature to implement the recommendations of the task force.

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

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Public Safety, with the assistance of the Public Utilities Commission, to convene a task force to study the feasibility of allowing E-9-1-1 dispatchers in the State to transfer emergency calls to emergency dispatchers in other states. The department is required to report the task force's recommendations and any necessary implementing legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public safety matters by December 3, 2014.