An Act Directing That the Towns Constituting Hospital Administrative District No. 4 Hold a Vote on the Proposed Merger with Northern Light Health (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1553
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: DAVIS, HIGGINS, FOSTER, LOCKMAN, STEARNS

Legislative Document
No. 1553
S.P. 488
In Senate, April 11, 2019
An Act Directing That the Towns Constituting Hospital 
Administrative District No. 4 Hold a Vote on the Proposed Merger 
with Northern Light Health
(AFTER DEADLINE)
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DAVIS of Piscataquis.
Cosponsored by Representative HIGGINS of Dover-Foxcroft and
Representatives: FOSTER of Dexter, LOCKMAN of Bradley, STEARNS of Guilford.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Hospital Administrative District No. 4, established pursuant to Private 
and Special Law 1973, chapter 76, is composed of the member communities of Abbot, 
Atkinson, Bradford, Cambridge, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, Milo, Monson, 
Parkman, Sangerville, Sebec and Willimantic; and
Whereas, the board of directors of the district has determined that Mayo Regional 
Hospital, which is the hospital serving the communities in the district, is unable to 
continue operation in a financially sustainable manner as an independent hospital and that 
the best way to ensure access to necessary, high-quality, affordable health care for the 
people served by Mayo Regional Hospital is for the district to merge with Northern Light 
Health, a larger nonprofit health care system; and
Whereas, in order for such a merger to take place, the Legislature must amend the 
charter for the district; and
Whereas, before the legislative delegations representing the affected communities 
pursue legislation to amend the charter to facilitate such a merger, it is important to solicit 
input from the affected communities; and
Whereas, this legislation directs the towns of Abbot, Atkinson, Bradford, 
Cambridge, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, Milo, Monson, Parkman, Sangerville, 
Sebec and Willimantic to each hold a vote on the proposed merger by April 30, 2019 and 
transmit the results of the vote to the board of directors of the district; 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.  Special advisory vote on merger of Hospital Administrative 
District No. 4.  Notwithstanding any applicable notice requirements, each of the towns 
of Abbot, Atkinson, Bradford, Cambridge, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, Milo, 
Monson, Parkman, Sangerville, Sebec and Willimantic shall hold an advisory vote no 
later than April 30, 2019 on the proposed merger of Hospital Administrative District No. 
with Northern Light Health, in accordance with the agreement and plan of merger dated 
February 27, 2019 between Hospital Administrative District No. 4 and Northern Light 
Health.  Unless a town’s charter otherwise provides, the vote must be taken at a town 
meeting.  The municipal officers of each town shall invite the inhabitants of the town to 
give their opinion on this question by voting on the following:
"Do you favor the merger of Hospital Administrative District No. 4, 
which is served by Mayo Regional Hospital, with Northern Light Health, 
a Maine nonprofit corporation, in accordance with the agreement and 
plan of merger between Hospital Administrative District No. 4 and 
Northern Light Health dated February 27, 2019, and amending the 
Hospital Administrative District No. 4 charter in order to facilitate the 
completion of the merger?"
The results of the vote in each town must be declared by the municipal officers of the 
town and transmitted to the board of directors of Hospital Administrative District No. 4.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill requires that, notwithstanding any applicable notice requirements, each of 
the towns of Abbot, Atkinson, Bradford, Cambridge, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, 
Milo, Monson, Parkman, Sangerville, Sebec and Willimantic hold an advisory vote no 
later than April 30, 2019 on the proposed merger of Hospital Administrative District No. 
with Northern Light Health.  Unless a town's charter otherwise provides, the vote must 
be taken at a town meeting.  The results of the vote in each town must be declared by the 
municipal officers of the town and transmitted to the board of directors of Hospital 
Administrative District No. 4.