Bill > LD579

This bill adds two new categories of employees from the Department of Health and Human Services to the 1998 Special Plan for retirement, which offers certain benefits to specific public employees. Specifically, the bill includes (1) mental health workers who provide direct care to individuals in community-based or residential settings or mental health institutions, and (2) workers responsible for providing crisis outreach and crisis services to adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities in community-based or residential settings. These employees hired on or after October 1, 2025, will be eligible for a special retirement plan that allows them to retire earlier or with different contribution rates compared to standard state employees. The bill defines "direct care" as services essential to a person's security, health, or well-being, excluding case management services. The changes modify existing retirement law to create more favorable retirement options for these specific mental health and crisis service workers, recognizing the challenging nature of their work and potentially helping to attract and retain employees in these critical public service roles.

Labor and Employment

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=579&snum=132