Whereas, the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 was passed on July 22, 2004, allowing retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons; and

Whereas, for retired law enforcement officers in Maine to carry concealed weapons under federal law, the law enforcement officers must be certified by the State of Maine; and

Whereas, this certification is in the best interests of the State's health, safety and welfare; 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, be it

Sec. 1. Commissioner of Public Safety to implement certification process. Resolved: That by July 22, 2005 the Commissioner of Public Safety shall adopt rules to implement a certification process that allows retired law enforcement officials to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004. Rules adopted pursuant to this resolve are major substantive rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2- A.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Public Safety to implement a certification process by July 22, 2005, to allow retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons pursuant to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004.