CHAPTER 160
S.P. 120 - L.D. 399
An Act to Extend Certain Survivor Benefits to the Spouses of Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers and Expand the Definition of Law Enforcement Officers
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA �12551, as amended by PL 1989, c. 502, Pt. A, �61, is further amended to read:
In recognition of the indispensable public service role which that firefighters and law enforcement officers play in the well-being of the people of this State, it is the purpose of this chapter to provide for assistance to the children and spouse of firefighters and law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty so that these children and spouses may have the opportunity to pursue a degree at one of the state post-secondary postsecondary educational institutions.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA �12552, sub-�2, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 472, is amended to read:
2. Law enforcement officer. "Law enforcement officer" means an active state police officer, municipal police officer, county sheriff or deputy sheriff in this State. "Law enforcement officer" also means an active game warden, fire marshal, liquor enforcement officer or marine patrol officer, if employed on a full-time basis in that position in this State.
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA �12553, as amended by PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, �124, is further amended to read:
The child or spouse of a firefighter or law enforcement officer who has been killed or who has received an injury during the performance of his that firefighter's or law enforcement officer's duties, which results in death, may attend, as provided in this section, any state post-secondary postsecondary educational institution free of tuition charges.
1. Eligibility of a child. The child of a firefighter or law enforcement officer shall be is eligible for tuition waiver under this chapter if he the child is:
A. The natural or legally adopted child of a firefighter or law enforcement officer;
B. Is less than 21 years old at the time of the death of the parent who is a firefighter or law enforcement officer;
C. A Maine resident;
D. A high school graduate or has attained equivalent certification; and
E. Accepted for admission to a state post-secondary postsecondary educational institution.
1-A. Eligibility of a spouse. The spouse of a firefighter or law enforcement officer is eligible for tuition waiver under this chapter if the spouse is:
A. Legally married to the firefighter or law enforcement officer at the time of the firefighter's or law enforcement officer's death;
B. A Maine resident;
C. A high school graduate or has attained equivalent certification; and
D. Accepted for admission to a state postsecondary educational institution.
2. Limitation. The tuition waiver provided by this chapter shall be is limited to undergraduate degree programs and shall be is limited to not more than 5 years of full-time enrollment or its equivalent.
3. Continuation. The tuition waiver provided by this chapter shall be is awarded on a yearly basis and shall continue continues to be available, if the child or spouse is otherwise eligible under this section, as long as the child or spouse remains in good academic standing at a state institution.
See title page for effective date.
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