Sen. Deschambault county sheriffs bill receives unanimous support

Posted: March 05, 2019 | Senator Deschambault, State and Local Government

AUGUSTA —Legislation sponsored by Sen. Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, to clarify the qualifications required to become a county sheriff received unanimous approval from the Legislature’s Committee on State and Local Government on Monday. LD 456, “An Act To Strengthen the Qualifications for County Sheriffs,” now heads to the full Maine House and Senate for votes.

“I am happy to see this bill pass. While it may seem like a minor change, it actually speaks volumes to ensure that we have county sheriffs who work hard to keep Mainers safe have the necessary job experience to excel,” said Sen. Deschambault, who is Senate Chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

LD 456 received unanimous support from the committee, with an amendment, to require a candidate for county sheriff to have at least two years of supervisory employment experience. This bill specifies that having law enforcement or corrections supervisory experience is a requirement for the job.

The bill faces votes before the Maine House and Senate.

##