An Act To Address Employee Recruitment and Retention Issues at State Mental Health Institutions

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the state mental health institutions are an integral part of mental health care in the State; and

Whereas,  employee recruitment and retention is important to the stability of the state mental health institutions; and

Whereas,  this legislation provides for an increase in wages for certain personnel at the state mental health institutions beginning July 1, 2016; and

Whereas,  the 90-day period will not expire until after July 1, 2016; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Department to increase wages at state mental health institutions. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, effective at the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after July 1, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services shall increase wages for select personnel as specified in this section at the state mental health institutions. Wages must be increased by $2 per hour for all Acuity Specialist positions, Licensed Practical Nurse positions, Mental Health Worker I positions, Mental Health Worker II positions and Mental Health Worker III positions. Wages must be increased by $4 per hour for all Nurse I positions, Hospital Nurse II positions, Hospital Nurse III positions, Hospital Nurse IV positions, Psychologist III positions and Psychologist IV positions.

Sec. 2. Transfer from Salary Plan program and special account funding. The funds in the Salary Plan program, General Fund account within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services may be used as needed in allotment by financial order upon the recommendation of the State Budget Officer and approval of the Governor to be used for the economic items contained in section 1 in fiscal year 2016-17. Positions supported from sources other than the General Fund must be funded from those other sources. Transfers from the Salary Plan program pursuant to this section may not exceed $944,379 in fiscal year 2016-17.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect July 1, 2016.