Senate unanimously supports Sen. Diamond bill to support frontline state workers

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, the Senate approved a bill from Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, that supports Maine’s frontline state workers by establishing a special retirement plan for civilian employees in the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory and computer crimes unit within the Department of Public Safety. 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,” received unanimous, bipartisan support.

“Employees in the Computer Crimes Unit and the Crime Lab do work that is critical to the safety of Maine people – but the work can also be disturbing and traumatizing,” said Sen. Diamond. “The evidence they examine is often directly related to violent crime, including crimes against children. It’s work that most of us would struggle to do for one day, let alone years or decades. Allowing the people who fill these roles to retire early is important to attracting and retaining members of this workforce, and it’s also a way we can show our gratitude to them for their service.”

As amended, LD 1808 creates a special retirement plan for civilian employees of the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory and computer crimes unit within the Department of Public Safety whose job responsibilities include the handling, examination or analysis of digital or physical evidence. Under the new special plan, employees can retire after 25 years of creditable service, regardless of age.

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) testified in support of the bill.

LD 1808 faces further votes in the Legislature.