MaineMaine police and corrections officers would take wellness training
The failed proposal would require officers to train for work-related stress and establish a council to advise Maine officials on police recruitment, retention, and wellness.
What it does
Police and corrections officers would take in-person training to prepare for work-related stress. They would complete it within their first three years of certification.
An advisory council would recommend ways to recruit police officers, keep them on the job, and support their wellness. The academy's annual report would include council reports.
Death certificates would record whether the person had ever worked in one of four first responder jobs, including police work, firefighting, and emergency medical services.
The proposal would set aside $130,356 from the state's General Fund for one law enforcement wellness coordinator and related costs in the 2026–27 budget year.
Argument forTraining led by an officer and a mental health professional could help officers recognize and manage stress from their work.
Argument againstRequired in-person training could take officers away from shifts and require departments to arrange coverage.
More detail
The Maine Criminal Justice Academy's board would require wellness training as part of officer training to keep certification. This would cover full-time law enforcement officers who completed basic police training, received a waiver from it, or completed basic corrections training. Corrections officers would also have a wellness training requirement. Training would be based on evidence and taught in person by both a law enforcement officer and a licensed mental health professional. The academy's board would have to approve training for it to count toward keeping certification. Police officers would complete the training within their first three years of certification. Corrections officers would complete it once within that same period.
A Law Enforcement Retention Advisory Council would advise Maine's public safety commissioner. The council would include the commissioner or a delegate, plus representatives from police organizations, mental health care, and education, among other required members. The council could send recommendations to the commissioner, the Legislature's public safety committee, and other organizations.
Death certificates would state whether the person had previously worked as a first responder. The listed jobs are law enforcement officer, firefighter, dispatcher, and emergency medical services worker. The requirement would include past work, not just employment at death. The requirement would use the legal definitions of the four listed jobs.
The proposal would set aside $130,356 for one academy wellness coordinator position and related costs. The money would go to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy within the Department of Public Safety. The funding would apply to the 2026–27 budget year; the proposal lists no funding for 2025–26.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Became Law
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)Died
- Mar 25On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
- Mar 24Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 24PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Mar 19In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 19The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-540).Minor
- Mar 19Under suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.
- Mar 19CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAY
- Mar 18Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
- Mar 18READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-540)Minor
- Mar 18COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.
- Mar 17ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
- Mar 17Committee Amendment "A" (S-540) READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Mar 17Bill READ ONCE.Minor
- Mar 17Report READ and ACCEPTED.
- Mar 12Reported Out - OTP-AM
- Jan 28Voted - OTP-AM
- Jan 28Work Session Held
- Jan 21Work Session Held - TABLED
- 2025
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- Jun 17Carry Over Approved
- May 23Carry Over Requested
- May 20In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- May 20The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETYMinor
- May 20Report was READ and ACCEPTED.
- May 19Work Session Held - TABLED
- May 14Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
- May 14REFERRED to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Minor
- May 14Report READ and ACCEPTED.
- May 14Reported 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.Introduced
Criminal JusticeMental HealthPublic Safety