An Act To Implement The Recommendations Of The Stakeholder Group To Examine And Improve The Recruitment, Retention And Wellness Of Law Enforcement Officers

This bill creates a Law Enforcement Retention Advisory Council to advise Maine's Public Safety Commissioner on improving recruitment, retention, and wellness for officers. It requires death certificates to note if a decedent previously served as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical provider. The bill mandates that Maine's Criminal Justice Academy include evidence-based wellness training - delivered by both officers and mental health professionals - and critical incident debriefing in all basic law enforcement training programs. It also allocates $126,000 annually to fund a new Law Enforcement Wellness Coordinator position within the Department of Public Safety.