In order to extend to employees of the political subdivisions of the State of Maine, and to the civilian employees of the Maine National Guard who are employed pursuant to the National Defense Act of 1916, whether members of existing retirement or pension systems or not, the benefits of social security provided under the federal Social Security Act enacted by the Congress of the United States, it is declared to be the policy of the Legislature, subject to the limitations of this chapter, that steps be taken to provide those benefits to such employees on as broad a basis as is permitted under the federal Social Security Act. This chapter applies to employees of the Maine Maritime Academy who are members of an existing retirement or pension system. This chapter does not apply to teachers who are under a state or local government pension or retirement plan, except teachers at the Maine Maritime Academy. To bring sheriffs and their deputies under social security, these law enforcement officers are considered "policemen" for the purposes of the federal Social Security Act.   [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §16 (AMD).]