2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE › Subtitle 3: INCOME SUPPLEMENTATION › Part 4: INTERSTATE COMPACTS › Chapter 1154: INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN › 22 §4262. Oversight; dispute resolution; enforcement - Article 12

§4262. Oversight; dispute resolution; enforcement - Article 12
1.  Oversight.
The interstate commission shall oversee the administration and operation of the compact.
A. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and the rules of the interstate commission and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The compact and its rules supersede state law, rules or regulations to the extent of any conflict.   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (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.   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
C. The interstate commission is entitled to receive service of process in any action in which the validity of a compact provision or rule is the issue for which a judicial determination has been sought and has standing to intervene in any proceedings. Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission renders any judgment, order or other determination, however so captioned or classified, void as to the interstate commission, this chapter and bylaws or rules of the interstate commission.   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
2.  Dispute resolution.
The interstate commission has the authority to resolve disputes.
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 and between member and nonmember states.   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
B. The interstate commission shall adopt a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes among compacting states. The costs of the mediation or dispute resolution are the responsibility of the parties to the dispute.   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
3.  Enforcement.
If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the interstate commission's bylaws or rules, the interstate commission may:
A. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance;   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
B. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default and the means of curing the default. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default;   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
C. By majority vote of the members, initiate against a defaulting member state 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 court where the interstate commission has its principal office, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact or the interstate commisson's bylaws or rules. 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 the litigation including reasonable attorney's fees; or   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
D. Avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of official or professional conduct.   [PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2007, c. 255, §6 (NEW).