Whereas, police officers of the University of Maine System often are involved in public safety matters that extend beyond the limits of university property; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. P&SL 1865, c. 532, §8-A, first ¶, as repealed and replaced by PL 1991, c. 548, Pt. A, §36, is amended to read:

Section 8-A. The trustees of the University of Maine System, or such administrators of the University of Maine System as the trustees may designate for this purpose, may appoint persons to act as police officers who, within the limits of the property owned by or under the control of the University of Maine System, possess all of the powers of police officers in this State in criminal cases and civil violations.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill broadens the powers of University of Maine System police officers to include enforcement authority throughout the State, rather than within the limits of university property only.