The Legislature finds that State Government is the largest single employer in the State and has a substantial impact, not only upon the growth and development of the State, but also with respect to policies that directly affect Maine citizens. The Legislature further finds that state employees are a valuable human resource who possess valuable skills and knowledge necessary to the effective operation of State Government and to the general health, safety and welfare of Maine citizens. [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).]

The Legislature further finds that it is essential to the welfare of all Maine citizens for state employees to undertake their duties and responsibilities in a conscientious and dependable manner. It is also of vast importance to the efficient and effective operation of State Government that all qualified Maine citizens have fair and equal opportunity to enter the service of State Government on the basis of merit and to work free from the forces of favoritism, nepotism and political patronage. Further, it is essential that individuals possessing the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective operation of State Government are hired and retained. [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).]

To achieve these goals, it is vital that the personnel administrative organization of State Government recognize and develop the talents, contributions and potential of state employees and applicants for employment. [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).]

It is in the public interest and is the policy of the State of Maine to foster and encourage an educational leave program to permit employees of the State to increase knowledge and skills and to improve work techniques and procedures. This would permit the agencies themselves and the citizens of Maine to benefit by what the employee has learned and will impart to others upon return. [PL 2001, c. 519, §3 (NEW).]

It is the intent of the Legislature to establish the Bureau of Human Resources as the agency responsible for the administration of the human resources activities of State Government and that shall act as a service organization to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of state employees and state agencies. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the Bureau of Human Resources operate flexibly to expedite the duties and responsibilities of state employees and state agencies. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. HH, §3 (AMD).]

Every employee of the Bureau of Human Resources and any other affected state agency shall act to assure that the provisions of the Civil Service Law are carried out in an open, fair and expeditious manner, with the objective of hiring and retaining the best person for a position as quickly as possible. To this end, all state agencies shall take steps to speed up handling of matters and to reduce and simplify the procedures and paperwork required by the Civil Service Law. [RR 1991, c. 2, §10 (COR).]

It is not the intent of the Legislature in this chapter or any part of it to limit or restrict the rights of state employees to bargain collectively as provided in Title 26. [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).]