Maine residents will be able to use locked boxes on state ferries that allow for transportation of medical samples.
Supporters of the change say it will help the state's island residents. It will allow them to send samples to mainland hospitals and medical facilities without taking a time-consuming ferry ride.
A bill passed by the state Legislature requires the Maine State Ferry Service to adopt rules regarding customer service, the transportation of hazardous materials and staffing levels and duties.
Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the bill, but both houses of the Legislature then overrode the veto on April 29.
New marine safety protocols barred an informal system of shipping samples that had been in use for years prior to the passage of the bill.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
