Bill
Bill > LD1741
ME LD1741
ME LD1741An Act Regarding County Law Enforcement Administration and Rural Law Enforcement
summary
Introduced
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
In Committee
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill does the following. 1. It requires a board of county commissioners or a personnel board to give deference and the rebuttable presumptions of fairness and professional necessity to a sheriff's decision to not reappoint a deputy or to dismiss, suspend or otherwise discipline a deputy or subordinate employee. 2. It stipulates that if the county committee of a political party submits one or more recommendations to fill a vacancy in the sheriff's office to the Governor, the acting sheriff must be included for consideration for appointment. 3. It stipulates that if the office of sheriff becomes vacant because of death, resignation or otherwise, the chief deputy becomes the acting sheriff. 4. It provides to the sheriff serving the county sufficient funds for all office expenses, clerk hire and travel. 5. It clarifies that a decision of a sheriff to not reappoint a deputy, except for appointment at the end of the probationary period, is subject to the procedures and standards for dismissal of an applicable collective bargaining agreement. 6. It repeals the provision of law allowing a county to undertake administrative, management and supporting functions required to implement the law enforcement functions authorized by law.
AI Summary
This bill addresses several aspects of county law enforcement administration in Maine. First, it requires county commissioner boards or personnel boards to defer to a sheriff's decisions regarding deputy appointments, dismissals, or disciplinary actions, giving the sheriff's judgments a presumption of fairness and professional necessity. The bill stipulates that if a county political party committee recommends candidates to fill a sheriff vacancy, the current acting sheriff must be included for consideration by the Governor. When a sheriff's office becomes vacant due to death, resignation, or other reasons, the chief deputy automatically becomes the acting sheriff. The legislation mandates that county commissioners provide sheriffs with sufficient funds to cover office expenses, including consultation services, personnel training, organizational memberships, and strategic planning. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a sheriff's decision to not reappoint a deputy is subject to collective bargaining agreement procedures, and requires counties to provide suitable office space for sheriff's operations. Notably, the bill repeals a previous provision that allowed counties to undertake administrative and management functions related to law enforcement, effectively strengthening the sheriff's autonomy in managing their office.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. (on 06/25/2025)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1741&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1159&item=1&snum=132 |
Loading...