Public Law, Chapter 116, 123rd Legislature, First Regular Session

Chapter 116 H.P. 747 - L.D. 987

An Act To Provide Gambling Addiction Counseling Services through the Office of Substance Abuse

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

Whereas, standards for the provision of gambling addiction counseling services and other activities related to the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction are needed as soon as possible; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §20002, as corrected by RR 2003, c. 2, §13, is amended to read:

§ 20002. Purpose

The purposes of this Act are:

1. Integrated and comprehensive approach. To adopt an integrated approach to the problem of alcohol and other drug abuse and to focus all the varied resources of the State on developing a comprehensive and effective range of alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment activities and services; and

2. Single administrative unit. To establish a single administrative unit within the Department of Health and Human Services, with responsibility for planning, developing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating all of the State's alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment activities and services . ;

3. Tobacco use by juveniles. To enforce the State's laws relating to the sale and use of tobacco products by juveniles and to coordinate state and local activities related to those provisions. The office shall take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with the Synar Act, 42 United States Code 300X-26, including the preparations of reports for the signature of the Governor. All law enforcement agencies, all state departments, including the Department of Public Safety, and municipalities shall cooperate with the office in these efforts.

The office may enter into any contracts or agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties under this section, subject to section 20005, subsection 6 and section 20005-A. The office shall provide or assist in the provision of voluntary training programs regarding the sales of tobacco products to juveniles . ; and

4. Gambling addiction counseling. To establish standards for the provision of gambling addiction counseling services and other activities relating to the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction. The office may accept private, state and federal funds to support the performance of its duties under this subsection.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §20003, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1991, c. 601, §4, is further amended to read:

4. Community service provider. "Community service provider" means a provider of alcohol or drug abuse treatment or gambling addiction treatment, including, but not limited to, evaluation.

Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §20005, sub-§6, ¶A, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. L, §5 and affected by §16, is further amended to read:

A. Administer all contracts with community service providers for the delivery of alcohol and drug abuse services; and

Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §20005, sub-§6, ¶A-1 is enacted to read:

A-1. Administer all contracts with community service providers for the delivery of gambling addiction counseling services; and

Sec. 5. 5 MRSA §20005-A, first ¶, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. L, §6 and affected by §16, is further amended to read:

In addition to other applicable requirements and unless precluded by other restrictions on the use of funds, the commissioner shall manage all funds available for the provision of alcohol or other drug abuse services , as well as all funds available for the provision of gambling addiction counseling services, in accordance with the provisions of this section.

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

Effective May 14, 2007.

Public Laws

123rd Legislature

First Regular Session

Chapter 116

H.P. 747 - L.D. 987