Sec. 8. 25 MRSA §2803-A, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1999, c. 630, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Training and certification of all law enforcement officers in State. In accordance with this chapter, to establish training and certification standards for all law enforcement officers, set requirements for board-approved courses, prescribe curriculum and certify both graduates of board-approved courses and persons for whom the board has waived the training requirements of this chapter. Certification must be based on the officer's demonstration of having acquired specific knowledge and skills directly related to job performance.;

No later than March 1, 1995, the board shall design joint training and certification standards combining into a single basic training course the present State Police course and the basic municipal and county course. The joint training course must equal or exceed any curriculum training requirements of the State Police effective on December 31, 1994. The board shall report its recommendations and the necessary implementing legislation for a basic training course to the Legislature by April 1, 1995. The Legislature must approve the associated costs of the joint training course before it may be implemented.

Until joint training and certification standards are implemented pursuant to this subsection, the Chief of the State Police shall approve the basic training requirements for enlisted personnel of the State Police for graduation from the academy. The board shall certify State Police enlisted personnel who meet the approved basic training requirements;

Sec. 9. 25 MRSA §2803-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1993, c. 744, §3, is further amended to read:

2. Admission standards. In accordance with the requirements of this chapter, to establish standards for admission to the board-approved courses, taking into account state hiring standards and procedures applicable to all state departments. The board may not set standards for admission to the board- approved courses until July 1, 1990, for persons required to be trained under Title 30, section 6210, subsection 4, which standards are higher than those in force on September 23, 1983. The board shall set including academic and physical admission standards that apply uniformly to all candidates applying for admission to the academy after December 31, 1995. These standards must equal or exceed any academic and physical