Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §17851, sub-§11, as amended by PL 1997, c. 769, §10, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

11.__Department of Corrections employees.__An employee of the Department of Corrections who is employed in a correctional facility or whose duties involve contact with prisoners, probationers, parolees or juveniles qualifies for a service retirement benefit if that person:

A.__Was employed in one of those capacities before September 1, 1984 and:

(1)__Completes 20 years of creditable service in one or more of those capacities; and

(2)__Retires upon or after reaching 50 years of age; or

B.__Was employed in one of those capacities after August 31, 1984 and completed 25 years of creditable service in one or more of those capacities.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §17851-A, sub-§1, ķE, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 769, §11, is amended to read:

E. Maine State Prison Department of Corrections employees to whom section 17851, subsection 11, paragraph B applies;

SUMMARY

This bill amends the qualifications for service retirement benefits and participation in the 1998 Special Plan under the Maine State Retirement System to include any employee of the Department of Corrections who is employed in a correctional facility or whose duties involve contact with prisoners, probationers, parolees or juveniles.