Sens. Hickman, Diamond introduce bills to support frontline state workers

Posted: January 20, 2022 | Labor and Housing, Senator Diamond, Senator Hickman

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, and Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, introduced bills to 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. Both LD 1746 and LD 1808 were the subject of public hearings before the Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee.

Sen. Craig Hickman

“The employees of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner are tasked with a difficult job to say the least. These workers face frequently traumatic work, solving crimes or helping family determine a loved one’s cause of death,” said Sen. Hickman. “These employees deserve recognition for their dedication and hard work.”

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 employment of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner within the Department of the Attorney General to elect to participate in the 1998 Special Retirement Plan of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner 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.

Sen. Bill Diamond

“I’ve worked closely with employees of the Computer Crimes Unit and the Crime Lab over the years as I’ve sought to better understand crimes against Maine children,” said Sen. Diamond. “The work they do is critical, but it can also be gruesome, often involving viewing graphic images of child sexual abuse. This work takes a toll. Allowing these folks to use their years of creditable service to retire early is the least we can do to show our thanks. I’m glad to sponsor this bill, which would make some key fixes to the law we passed last year so we can fulfill our promise to these heroes.”

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. As written, that law only applies to new employees hired after Sept. 30, 2021. LD 1808 would further expand this eligibility to employees hired before that date.

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 both bills.

LD 1746 and LD 1808 face further action in committee.