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Senate hearing highlights calls to add detention officers to longevity statute; counties seek amendment on union contracts
Summary
Senate Judiciary heard testimony on SB236 to extend a 1% annual longevity pay to detention officers. Sheriffs' associations and jail supervisors said it would improve retention; county officials warned of local budget impacts and requested clarifying language to avoid duplicating union benefits. No committee vote was taken that day.
Sen. Barry Usher opened testimony on Senate Bill 236, saying the measure would extend the 1% annual longevity benefit to detention officers to help counties recruit and retain staff. "Detention officers play a critical role in maintaining the safety and security of our criminal justice system," Usher said during his presentation.
Proponents stressed that detention centers statewide face chronic staffing shortages. Nanette Gilbertson of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association told the committee the bill simply adds the words "and detention officers" to the existing statutory provision (74‑25‑10) so jail staff can receive the same 1% annual longevity deputies receive. "This is…
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