Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §17851-A, sub-§1, ¶¶J and K, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 493, §6, are amended to read:

J. Law enforcement officers in the employment of the Baxter State Park Authority on January 1, 2000 or hired thereafter; and

K. The State Fire Marshal or a state fire marshal investigator or state fire marshal inspector in the employment of the Department of Public Safety on January 1, 2000 or hired thereafter.; and

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §17851-A, sub-§1, ¶L is enacted to read:

L.__Mental health workers in the employment of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services on January 1, 2002 or hired thereafter who have direct care responsibilities for persons residing in institutions.

Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §17851-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 493, §7, is further amended to read:

2. Qualification for benefits. A member employed in any one or a combination of the capacities specified in subsection 1 after June 30, 1998 for employees identified in subsection 1, paragraphs A to H and, after December 31, 1999 for employees identified in subsection 1, paragraphs I to K, and after December 31, 2001 for employees identified in subsection 1, paragraph L qualifies for a service retirement benefit if that member either:

A. Is at least 55 years of age and has completed at least 10 years of creditable service under the 1998 Special Plan in any one or a combination of the capacities; or

B. Has completed at least 25 years of creditable service in any one or a combination of the capacities specified in subsection 1, whether or not the creditable service included in determining that the 25-year requirement has been met was earned under the 1998 Special Plan or prior to its establishment.

Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §17851-A, sub-§3, ¶A, as amended by PL 1999, c. 493, §8, is further amended to read:

A. For the purpose of meeting the qualification requirement of subsection 2, paragraph A: