2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE › Subtitle 4: HUMAN SERVICES › Part 3: DRUG ABUSE › Chapter 1604: INTERSTATE PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM COMPACT › 22 §7270. Oversight, enforcement and dispute resolution - Article 10

§7270. Oversight, enforcement and dispute resolution - Article 10
1.  Oversight.
The following provisions govern the oversight of the compact.
A. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated under this compact have standing as statutory law but do not override the State's authority to govern prescription drugs or the State's prescription monitoring program.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
B. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact that may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the interstate commission.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
C. The interstate commission is entitled to receive all service of process in any proceeding under paragraph B and has standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission renders a judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, this compact or promulgated rules.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
2.  Default, technical assistance, suspension and termination.
If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default and any action taken by the interstate commission. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default. The interstate commission shall provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
A. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state must be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this compact are terminated from the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the defaulting state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
B. Suspension or termination of membership in the compact may be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate must be given by the interstate commission to the governor of the defaulting state, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature and each of the member states.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
C. A defaulting state that has been suspended or terminated is responsible for all dues, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of suspension or termination, including obligations the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension or termination.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
D. The interstate commission may not bear costs relating to any state that has been found to be in default or that has been suspended or terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting state.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
E. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party must be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
3.  Dispute resolution.
The following provisions govern dispute resolution.
A. The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes that are subject to the compact and that may arise among member states.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
B. The interstate commission shall promulgate rules providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution as appropriate.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
4.  Enforcement.
The following provisions govern enforcement of the compact.
A. The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
B. The interstate commission may, by majority vote of the members, initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary the prevailing party must be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
C. The remedies in this subsection are not the exclusive remedies of the interstate commission. The interstate commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.   [PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2011, c. 217, §1 (NEW).