Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §7053-A is enacted to read:

§7053-A.__State workers hired through long-term contracts

or grants

1.__State policy.__The policy of the State to permit all state employees to participate to the fullest extent possible in the benefits of the civil service system must be extended to state workers hired through long-term contracts and long- term grants.

2.__Rules.__The director shall adopt rules by July 1, 2004 to implement the policy under subsection 1 for workers hired through long-term contracts and long-term grants.__Rules adopted pursuant to this chapter are routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.__At a minimum, the rules must:

A.__Define "long-term contract" and "long-term grant"; and

B.__Provide that a person who has been hired through a long-term contract or long-term grant is eligible:

(1)__To accrue and use vacation and sick leave;

(2)__To receive holiday pay;

(3)__For salary increases, training opportunities and other benefits available to state employees;

(4)__To participate in the retirement program for state employees; and

(5)__To participate in health and hospitalization insurance programs at rates of participation.

SUMMARY

This bill extends to workers hired by the State through long-term contracts or long-term grants the same benefits as all other state employees.