Law to strengthen support for volunteer first responders takes effect

New law from Sen. Curry builds on years of bipartisan work to make first responder benefits more reliable

AUGUSTA — Today, a new law introduced by Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, went into effect after being passed by the Legislature earlier this year. LD 786, “An Act to Promote Public Safety and Retain Essential First Responders by Converting the Maine Length of Service Award Program Trust Fund to a Nonlapsing Fund,” will help communities retain volunteer first responders by improving the sustainability of Maine’s Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP).

“Volunteer EMTs and firefighters answer the call at all hours for their neighbors. In rural Maine, most departments are all-volunteer, and when someone steps up to serve, we need to show that the state’s support will be there — not just this year, but next year too, and the year after that,” said Sen. Curry. “This law helps meet that goal. It makes LOSAP more stable and dependable, which helps with the long-term challenge of recruiting and retaining the first responders we count on.”

LOSAP is a retirement benefit for volunteer emergency responders who meet annual training and service requirements. The new law does not provide any additional funding; however, it ensures that any unspent funds in the program will carry over from year to year, rather than lapse at the end of the fiscal year. This change will help LOSAP build a more stable reserve, provide long-term flexibility and reduce pressure for large year-to-year appropriations.

LD 786 builds on efforts from previous sessions, including LD 588 from the 131st Legislature in 2023, also sponsored by Sen. Curry, which secured a one-time $500,000 allocation for LOSAP.

As non-emergency legislation, LD 786 took effect on September 24, 90 days after the First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned. Governor Mills signed the bill on June 9, 2025.