An Act To Change Child-to-staff Ratios in Child Care Centers
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0732
Committee Amendment CA_A-SA_A_S277 (Senate)

SENATE 
AMENDMENT "A" to COMMITTEE 
AMENDMENT 
"A" to H.P. 
538, L.D. 732, Bill, "An Act To Change Child-to-staff Ratios in 
Child Care Centers" 
Amend the amendment by inserting after the 
2nd indented 
paragraph the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts 
and 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
until 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, the early years 
of 
a 
child's 
development 
are 
critical; and 
Whereas, the appropriate staff-child ratio and maximum group 
size in child care facilities are crucial to the development of 
young children; and 
Whereas, this resolve establishes a task force to develop 
recommendations regarding staff-child ratios and maximum group 
size in child care facilities, leading to adoption of rules next 
year; 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' 
Page l-LR1632(4) 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
",." 
SENATE 
AMENDMENT 
.. A 
.. to COMMITTEE 
AMENDMENT 
"A" to H.P. 
L.D. 732 
538, 
Further amend the amendment in section 2 in the 13th line 
(page 2, line 4 in amendment) by striking out the following: 
"Legislators" and inserting in its place the following: 'up to 3 
Legislators, 2 of whom are appointed by the President of the 
Senate and one of whom is appointed by the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives' 
Further amend the amendment in section 2 in the 
(page 2, line 7 in amendment) by inserting after the 
"stakeholders" the following: 
The advisory task 
hold 
up 
to 
meetings 
to conduct its examination 
recommendations' 
last line 
following: 
force may 
and 
make 
Further amend the amendment in section 3 in the 3rd line 
(page 2, line 11 in amendment) by striking out the following: "1" 
and inserting in its place the following: '3' 
Further amend the amendment in section 3 in the 6th line 
(page 2, line 14 in amendment) by striking out the following: 
"the results" and inserting in its place the following: 
'its 
conclusions and recommendations' 
Further amend the amendment in section 3 in the last line 
(page 2, line 15 in amendment) by striking out the following: 
"February 1" and inserting in its place the following: 'January 5' 
Further amend the amendment by inserting after section 4 the 
following: 
'Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved. ' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment adds an emergency preamble, clarifies that up 
to 
Legislators 
may 
serve 
on the advisory task 
force 
and 
authorizes up to 4 meetings of the advisory task force. 
The 
amendment also changes the reporting dates. 
SPONSORED BY: ~ 
~ 
(Senator GAGNON) 
COUNTY: 
Kennebec 
FISCAL \OTE REQl!lRED 
(See attached) 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 06112/03 ;'1dac:.. 
Office of Fiscal and Program Review 
LD732 
An Act To Change Child-to-staff Ratios in Child Care Centers 
LR 1632(04) 
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment 'A' to Committee Amendment 'A" 
Sponsor: Sen. Gagnon 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium savings - General Fund 
This amendment reduces the legislative cost of the study by $315 in fiscal year 2003-04. The projected legislative 
cost for 3 legislators to participate as members of the advisory task force are $1,260 in fiscal year 2003-04. These 
costs will be funded through the Legislature's study budget. 
LR1632( 4) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1