Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith for studying the feasibility of a full-service emergency room at Burbank Hospital, 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:

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law or regulation to the contrary, the department of public health shall conduct a study concerning the maintenance of a full service emergency room at the Burbank campus of Health Alliance in the city of Fitchburg specifically including the acceptance of ambulances providing advanced life support service. The study shall be conducted to determine the necessity of a full service, 24-hour emergency room at said campus and the costs of maintaining a full service, 24-hour emergency room at said campus. The study shall determine the impact of the downgrading of the facility on the community including, but not limited to, the following areas: elementary and secondary education, Fitchburg State College, elderly and elderly complexes, public safety departments and personnel, emergency transportation, business community, sporting events and facilities and the general impact on communities to the north of said city of Fitchburg.

Said study shall also determine possible resources, including local financial support, for funding a full service, 24-hour emergency room at said campus. On or before October 1, 2000, the report shall be submitted to the senate and house ways and means committees and the joint committee on health care. During the period of the study, Health Alliance and the University of Massachusetts Medical Center shall make every effort to maintain adequate levels of emergency services at said campus to the extent that qualified staff are available.