Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to delay forthwith early intervention programs now scheduled to be implemented beginning January 1, 1998, 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 14 of chapter 427 of the acts of 1996, as appearing in section 4 of chapter 37 of the acts of 1997, is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- Said early intervention program shall be effective and shall be implemented on July 1, 1998.