Gov. Mills signs Libby law to protect health insurance and retirement fund for firefighters and law enforcement officers
Legislation from Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, to protect the Retired County and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Municipal Firefighters Health Insurance Program was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday.
“The Retired County and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Municipal Firefighters Health Insurance Program was established so that the people who have put themselves on the line to serve and protect our communities will have the benefits they need and deserve,” said Sen. Libby. “With the signing of LD 1664, no longer will lawmakers have the option of raiding this fund for other budget items, which common sense says shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place.”
LD 1664, “An Act To Place Funds for the Retired County and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Municipal Firefighters Health Insurance Program into a Trust,” moves the program’s funds into a trust overseen by the State Treasurer so they cannot be taken and used for other budget items.
Health care and retirement benefits are an important part of attracting and retaining local public safety professionals.
Paul Gaspar, executive director of the Maine Association of Police, was involved in the original setup of the fund. He spoke at a recent public hearing on LD 1664 and a companion bill, saying that “LDs 1664 and 1674 represent that continued stewardship, along with the program administrators, to improve and allow the program to continue to be successful for future first responders.”
Speaking to the success of the program and its intent, Ronnie Green, of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine, said, “It has done what it was intended to do, which is give a little bit of help to law enforcement officers and firefighters with health insurance in retirement so they are not stuck working well beyond their retirement age just so they would have health insurance.”
LD 1664 will take effect 90 days following the end of the legislative session. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on June 19.
