Committee unanimously OKs Libby bill 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 unanimously supported in the Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee in a vote Monday.

“The people who protect our communities and are there for us in our times of need should know that these funds will be there for them when they need it,” said Sen. Libby. “There’s no good reason for future lawmakers to be able to raid these funds for other purposes.”

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.”

The bill now moves to the Maine Senate and House for additional votes.