Ch. 284                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

FOR the purpose of providing that certain firefighters and paramedics who are
employed by the Salisbury Fire Department are eligible for membership in the
Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System under certain circumstances;
specifying the procedural requirements that a certain participating
governmental unit must meet to have its firefighters or paramedics participate
in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System; and generally relating to
pensions for firefighters and paramedics who are employed by the Salisbury
Fire Department.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - State Personnel and Pensions
Section 26-201, 26-202, and 31-2A-03 through 31-2A-05
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1997 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The recruitment and retention of qualified and trained firefighters,
emergency medical technicians, and paramedics is competitive and often influenced
by employee benefits; and

WHEREAS, The opportunity for promotion and mobility within any emergency
services organization is influenced by the available retirement options; and

WHEREAS, A recent survey has shown that the retirement benefits available to
employees in the Salisbury Fire Department are not competitive with benefits
available in other fire departments in the region; and

WHEREAS, In order to encourage timely retirement for fire department
members, retain members who are not yet ready to retire, and aid in the attraction of
new members, it is necessary for the Salisbury Fire Department to offer an adequate
and competitive retirement program; and

WHEREAS, The Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System offers a level of
benefits that is comparable to the retirement benefits offered to fire department
members in other agencies within the region; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - State Personnel and Pensions

26-201.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this subtitle applies
only to:

(1) an employee of the Department of Natural Resources commissioned
by the Secretary of Natural Resources as:

(i) a Natural Resources police officer; or
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