Read the full stored bill text
Printed on recycled paper
132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1980
S.P. 775 In Senate, May 14, 2025
An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Stakeholder
Group to Examine and Improve the Recruitment, Retention and
Wellness of Law Enforcement Officers
Reported by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox for the Joint Standing Committee on
Criminal Justice and Public Safety pursuant to Resolve 2023, chapter 165, section 3.
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered
printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Page 1 - 132LR2532(01)
1Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
2Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§74-M is enacted to read:
374-M.
Public Safety Law Enforcement Retention Advisory
Council
Not Authorized 25 MRSA
§3891
4Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §2842, sub-§1-B is enacted to read:
71-B. Designation of status as first responder. A death certificate for an individual
8 must include whether the decedent had previously worked as a law enforcement officer,
9 firefighter or emergency medical care provider.
10Sec. 3. 25 MRSA §2804-C, sub-§2-H is enacted to read:
112-H. Training regarding officer wellness. The board shall include in the basic law
12 enforcement training program an evidence-based block of instruction designed to prepare
13 officers for the psychological, emotional and physical stress associated with service as a
14 law enforcement officer. This training must be provided in person by a law enforcement
15 officer and a licensed mental health professional.
16Sec. 4. 25 MRSA §2804-C, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2005, c. 331, §§22 and 23,
17 is further amended to read:
184. Courses. The board shall:
19 A. Provide a training course, the successful completion of which meets the basic
20 training requirements;
21 B. Provide a structured residential program that balances the goals of professional
22 policing with public services emphasis; and
23 C. Incorporate a community policing philosophy in its training program. ; and
24 E. Incorporate critical incident debriefing in its training program to promote law
25 enforcement officer wellness.
26Sec. 5. 25 MRSA c. 415 is enacted to read:
27CHAPTER 415
28LAW ENFORCEMENT RETENTION ADVISORY COUNCIL
29§3891. Law Enforcement Retention Advisory Council
301. Law Enforcement Retention Advisory Council; established. The Law
31 Enforcement Retention Advisory Council, as established by Title 5, section 12004-I,
32 subsection 74-M and referred to in this section as "the advisory council," shall advise the
33 Commissioner of Public Safety on the development and implementation of state and local
34 policies and programs for the purposes of improving the recruitment, retention and wellness
35 of law enforcement officers, as defined in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 17.
4
5
6
Page 2 - 132LR2532(01)
12. Membership. The advisory council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety
2 or the commissioner's designee and the following members appointed by the
3 commissioner:
4 A. An individual representing the Maine chapter of a national fraternal order of police;
5 B. An individual representing a statewide association of police;
6 C. An individual representing a statewide association advocating for law enforcement
7 officials within the Bureau of State Police;
8 D. An individual representing a statewide law enforcement association;
9 E. An individual representing the Maine Criminal Justice Academy;
10 F. An individual representing a coalition of mental health providers in the State who
11 specialize in treating first responders as the coalition's sole practice;
12 G. An individual representing a postsecondary educational institution in the State with
13 programs focused on law enforcement or mental health;
14 H. An individual representing a statewide association of chiefs of police;
15 I. An individual representing a statewide association of sheriffs;
16 J. A student representing a secondary school program focused on law enforcement
17 education in the State; and
18 K. An individual representing retired law enforcement officers in the State.
19 The advisory council may make recommendations to the Commissioner of Public
20 Safety and to any other organization or committee whose affairs pertain to public safety.
21Sec. 6. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
22 allocations are made.
23PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
24Criminal Justice Academy 0290
25 Initiative: Provides funding for one MCJA Law Enforcement Wellness Coordinator
26 position and All Other costs.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT 1.000 1.000
Personal Services $121,000 $125,356
All Other $5,000 $5,000
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $126,000 $130,356
27SUMMARY
28 This bill implements the recommendations of the Stakeholder Group to Examine and
29 Improve the Recruitment, Retention and Wellness of Law Enforcement Officers. The bill:
36 1. Creates the Law Enforcement Retention Advisory Council;
37 2. Requires a death certificate to reflect whether the decedent had previously worked
38 as a first responder;
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Page 3 - 132LR2532(01)
1 3. Requires the Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to
2 incorporate law enforcement officer wellness training in the basic law enforcement training
3 program;
4 4. Requires the Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to
5 incorporate critical incident debriefing in its training program; and
6 5. Provides funding for a Maine Criminal Justice Academy Law Enforcement Wellness
7 Coordinator position within the Department of Public Safety.