Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to make forthwith certain changes in the laws of the commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. The first sentence of section 203 of chapter 379 of the acts of 1992 is hereby amended by inserting after the word "occur", in line 11, the following words:- ; provided, however, that the divisions of the district court department in the counties of Middlesex and Norfolk shall continue to accept such cases and petitions for filing and issue process therein, until such time as a division of the juvenile court department having territorial jurisdiction corresponding to such divisions of the district court department is established, or January 1, 2000, whichever shall first occur.

SECTION 2. Chapter 208 of the acts of 1997 is hereby amended by striking out section 1 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 1. The jurisdiction of the district court juvenile sessions effective on July 26, 1996 shall continue in effect, except as amended by chapter 200 of the acts of 1996, until such time as a division of the juvenile court department having territorial jurisdiction corresponding to that of such division of the district court department is established or January 1, 1999, whichever shall first occur, pursuant to section 203 of chapter 379 of the acts of 1992; provided, however, that the divisions of the district court department in the counties of Middlesex and Norfolk shall continue to accept such cases and petitions for filing and issue process therein, until such time as a division of the juvenile court department having territorial jurisdiction corresponding to such divisions of the district court department is established, or January 1, 2000, whichever shall first occur.

SECTION 3. The second paragraph of section 9 of chapter 118E

SECTION 4. The division of medical assistance shall provide the benefits described in section 3 of this act beginning October 1, 1998, to any eligible persons who seeks such benefits on or before June 30, 1999; and, for eligible persons who apply for such benefits after June 30, 1999, said division shall provide such benefits up to three months prior to the month of application; provided, however, that federal funding is available to reimburse said division for its expenditures for such benefits.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect as of December 31, 1998.