Committee approves Sens. Hickman, Diamond bills to support frontline state workers

AUGUSTA — This week, the Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee passed bills from Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, and Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, that would support Maine’s frontline workers by expanding participation in the 1998 Special Retirement Plan to include employees in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory and the Department of Public Safety’s Computer Crimes Unit. On Monday, an amended version of LD 1746 passed committee and on Wednesday an amended version of LD 1808 passed committee.

“The hard-working employees of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner handle some of the most traumatic, grueling work each and every day,” said Sen. Hickman. “To me, ensuring that these state employees are included in this retirement plan is the least we can do recognize their dedication and hard work. I am so pleased the committee sees it in the same light.”

Sen. Hickman sponsored LD 1746, “An Act To Expand the 1998 Special Retirement Plan To Include Employees Who Work for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.” This bill allows employees in the Office of Chief Medical Examiner within the Department of the Attorney General to participate in the 1998 Special Retirement Plan of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is a statewide system that is charged with the investigation of sudden, unexpected and violent deaths. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner is also the official state clearinghouse for all missing people in Maine.

The 1998 Special Retirement Plan allows certain public employees, including fire marshals, forest rangers, and other qualifying individuals, to retire at 55 years of age or older with 10 years of creditable service. Participants may also retire before age 55, with reduced benefits, if they have accrued 25 years of creditable service.

“The work conducted by the employees of the Computer Crimes Unit and the Crime Lab is critical to keeping Mainers – especially Maine children – safe, but it can be devastating,” said Sen. Diamond. “These employees are often handling the most gruesome and traumatic details of crimes against children. Allowing them to use their years of creditable service to retire early is a way to show our sincere thanks, and to attract and retain employees to these critical roles.”

Sen. Diamond sponsored LD 1808, “An Act To Address Employee Retention at the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory and the Computer Crimes Unit in the Department of Public Safety.” Last session, Sen. Diamond sponsored a law to include civilian employees of the Computer Crimes Unit and the Maine State Police Crime Lab in the 1998 Special Retirement plan beginning Oct. 1, 2021. LD 1808 further expands eligibility for these employees by crediting their years of service no matter when they started working for the Computer Crimes Lab or the State Police Crime Lab.

The Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit is responsible for assisting law enforcement officers and prosecutors with the investigation and prosecution of computer crimes, including the production and distribution of child sexual abuse materials. The Maine State Police Crime Lab offers evidence processing services for all law enforcement agencies operating in Maine. Civilians may hold positions in both units, handling, examining and analyzing digital and physical evidence.

Maine Service Employees Association (MSEA-SEIU Local 1989) supports both bills.

LD 1746 and LD 1808 now face votes in the Senate and the House.