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LD 2067

An Act To Include Certain Community Mental Health Workers Under The 1998 Special Plan For Retirement

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mattie Daughtry and 5 co-sponsors

Bill expands Maine's 1998 Special Retirement Plan to include community mental health workers, improving benefits access to strengthen workforce retention in underserved mental health services.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
#1998specialplan #specialplans #stateretirementsystem
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Bill Summary · LD 2067

Legislative bill overview

LD 2067 would expand Maine's 1998 Special Plan for Retirement to include community mental health workers, a professional group currently excluded from this specialized retirement benefits program. The bill appears designed to improve retention and recruitment in community mental health services by offering enhanced retirement security comparable to other state employees.

Why is this important

Community mental health workers provide critical mental health and substance abuse services in community settings rather than hospitals, serving vulnerable populations with limited alternatives. Extending retirement benefits to this workforce could reduce turnover in a profession facing recruitment challenges, potentially improving service continuity and quality for Mainers dependent on these services.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Expanding retirement plan coverage increases long-term state pension liabilities and immediate budgetary commitments; fiscal impact analysis will be critical
  • Equity questions: Why community mental health workers specifically—are other healthcare or social service workers also excluded and should they be included?
  • Plan sustainability: The 1998 Special Plan may already face actuarial pressures; adding new cohorts requires assessment of whether the plan can absorb these obligations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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