AUGUSTA – Maine lawmakers are considering a wage hike for workers at Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta and Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital in Bangor.

Staff from the two hospitals on Monday told the Legislature’s budget-writing committee that the pay raises would help the hospitals recruit and retain staff.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Roger Katz, a Republican from Augusta, would increase wages by $2 to $4 an hour for mental health workers, nurses, acuity specialists, psychologists and other direct care staff.

The proposal would cost about $1.9 million.

Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta lost federal certification in 2013 largely due to shortages of both nurses and mental health counselors. The hospital currently has 35 vacant positions. Employees worked approximately 2,221 hours of overtime last year.