On February 22, 2024, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 700- Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System- Membership- 9-1-1 Specialists. This bill enables local governments participating in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System (LEOPS) to authorize specified 9-1-1 specialists to enroll in the LEOPS program.
In 2019, the General Assembly passed Carl Henn’s Law, landmark legislation to update state laws, and the 9-1-1 financing system to provide the flexibility and resources needed to deploy a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) system that our residents expect and deserve. As Maryland transitions to NG911, counties would appreciate the flexibility to offer 9-1-1 specialists enhanced disability and retirement benefits through the LEOPS program.
The impacts of 9-1-1 work-related stress have made it difficult for counties to recruit and retain 9-1-1 specialists. SB 700 provides another tool for counties to incentivize potential recruits and retain current employees. Further, MACo appreciates that this bill properly leaves the decision to expand employee benefits in the hands of the local governments, which are best situated to determine whether such policies are in their best interest.
SB 700’s cross-file, HB 1313, was heard on March 12, 2024 in the House Appropriations Committee. Kevin Kinnally testified in support of this bill.
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