Resolve, to Study Training in Racial Issues, Racial Justice and Social Issues at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and Study Additional Requirements for Law Enforcement Officers and Candidates
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1247
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: GRAMLICH, BEEBE-CENTER, HASENFUS, LAJOIE, MADIGAN, MATHIESON, MILLIKEN, RECKITT, SALISBURY, TALBOT ROSS

Legislative Document
No. 1247
H.P. 795
House of Representatives, March 21, 2023
Resolve, to Study Training in Racial Issues, Racial Justice and 
Social Issues at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and Study 
Additional Requirements for Law Enforcement Officers and 
Candidates
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach.
Cosponsored by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox and
Representatives: HASENFUS of Readfield, LAJOIE of Lewiston, MADIGAN of Waterville, 
MATHIESON of Kittery, MILLIKEN of Blue Hill, RECKITT of South Portland, 
SALISBURY of Westbrook, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Sec. 1.  Committee established.  Resolved:  That the Law Enforcement Training 
and Qualifications Study Committee, referred to in this resolve as "the committee," is 
established.
Sec. 2.  Committee membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the committee consists of 17 members as follows:
1.  Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3.  The Commissioner of Public Safety or the commissioner's designee;
4.  The Director of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy or the director's designee; and
5.  Eight members appointed as follows:
A.  A member of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy curriculum review committee, 
appointed by the President of the Senate;
B.  A representative of a statewide association of municipal police chiefs, appointed by 
the President of the Senate;
C.  A representative of a statewide association of county sheriffs, appointed by the 
President of the Senate;
D.  A representative of a statewide association of municipalities, appointed by the 
President of the Senate;
E.  A representative of a statewide organization that advocates for civil liberties, 
appointed by the President of the Senate;
F.  A representative of a public institution of higher education that provides courses at 
the associate, bachelor's or master's level in criminal justice, appointed by the Speaker 
of the House; 
G.  A representative of a statewide association that advocates for restorative justice, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
H.  A representative of a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of victims of 
crime, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair 
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the committee.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of committee.  Resolved:  That, for 
appointments made under section 2, subsection 5, the appointing authorities shall make an 
effort to represent the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of the State.  All appointments 
must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve.  The 
appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once 
all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members, the chairs shall 
call and convene the first meeting of the committee.  If 30 days or more after the effective 
date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may 
request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the committee to meet 
and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Meetings.  Resolved:  That the committee is authorized to meet 6 times.
Sec. 6.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the committee shall:
1.  Review the history and purpose of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, the statutes 
that govern the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and its board of trustees and any 
educational credentials applicable to teachers and students at the Maine Criminal Justice 
Academy;
2.  Review how the current curriculum of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy is 
developed, revised, funded and delivered and, in comparison to other states, the benefits, 
challenges and effects of using volunteer or full-time personnel to provide education and 
training;
3.  Review any job task analysis completed by the Department of Public Safety that 
examines the role of rural and urban law enforcement officers in the State and examine the 
need for additional training resources, including a comparison of similar training protocols 
and delivery approaches in other states and the effect of different models on policing 
outcomes and on the quality of life of all residents and visitors;
4.  Review strategies, including changes to training and education requirements, to 
enhance recruitment for law enforcement employment from underrepresented 
communities, including ethnic minorities, women, new immigrants and communities of 
color;
5.  Review working relationships between the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and 
public and private institutions of higher education, opportunities for obtaining credentials 
and continuing education and sources for financial aid; 
6.  Seek input from municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies regarding 
law enforcement officer training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and whether 
increasing resources and staffing would improve recruitment and retention of staff and the 
quality of instruction and further the development of skills and leadership for candidates 
and staff; and
7.  Compile recommendations for improving the training of law enforcement officers 
through community and education partnerships, including by addressing statewide 
recruitment needs, racial justice and social issues, mental health and substance use disorder 
issues and any identified needs for additional requirements for law enforcement officers 
and candidates.
Sec. 7.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the committee, except that the Legislative Council staff 
support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 8.  Report.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
January 3, 2024, the committee shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Criminal Justice and Public Safety that includes its recommendations, including suggested 
legislation.  After reviewing the report, the joint standing committee may submit legislation 
relating to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the 17-member Law Enforcement Training and Qualifications 
Study Committee to review law enforcement officer training.  The committee is authorized 
to meet 6 times and is required to report its recommendations for training for law 
enforcement officers in racial issues, racial justice and social issues and for additional 
requirements for law enforcement officers and candidates by January 3, 2024.  The Joint 
Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety is authorized to submit 
legislation relating to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.