Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06838 Compare Versions

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7-General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6838
5+General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6838
86 January Session, 2023
7+LCO No. 4901
8+
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10+Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
11+
12+
13+Introduced by:
14+(PS)
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1219 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DIVISION OF FIRE SERVICES
1320 ADMINISTRATION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY
1421 SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION, REVISING THE POWERS
1522 AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION ON FIRE PREVENTION AND
1623 CONTROL AND REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE FIRE SERVICE IN THE
1724 STATE.
1825 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1926 Assembly convened:
2027
2128 Section 1. Section 29-1b of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
2229 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 2
2330 (a) There shall be within the Department of Emergency Services and 3
2431 Public Protection a Division of State Police. The Commissioner of 4
2532 Emergency Services and Public Protection shall serve as administrative 5
2633 head and commanding officer of the State Police Division. As 6
2734 administrative head, said commanding officer of the Division of State 7
2835 Police shall delegate said commanding officer's jurisdiction of the affairs 8
2936 of the Division of State Police to a deputy commissioner who shall have 9
3037 the powers and privileges conferred by statute upon a state policeman. 10
31-(b) There shall be within said department a Division of Emergency 11
38+(b) There shall be within said department a Division of Emergency 11 Raised Bill No. 6838
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3244 Management and Homeland Security. The commissioner shall serve as 12
3345 administrative head of said division. As administrative head, said 13
3446 commissioner shall delegate said commissioner's jurisdiction of the 14
35-Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to a 15 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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47+Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to a 15
4248 deputy commissioner. The deputy commissioner shall possess 16
4349 professional training and knowledge consisting of not less than five 17
4450 years of managerial or strategic planning experience in matters relating 18
4551 to public safety, security, emergency services and emergency response. 19
4652 No person possessing a record of any criminal, unlawful or unethical 20
4753 conduct shall be eligible for or hold such position. Any person with any 21
4854 present or past political activities or financial interests that may 22
4955 substantially conflict with the duties of the deputy commissioner or 23
5056 expose such person to potential undue influence or compromise such 24
5157 person's ability to be entrusted with necessary state or federal security 25
5258 clearances or information shall be deemed unqualified for such position 26
5359 and shall not be eligible to hold such position. 27
5460 (c) (1) There shall be within said department a Division of Fire 28
5561 Services Administration. The commissioner shall serve as 29
5662 administrative head of said division. As administrative head, said 30
5763 commissioner shall delegate said commissioner's jurisdiction of the 31
5864 Division of Fire Services Administration to a deputy commissioner. The 32
5965 deputy commissioner shall possess professional training and 33
6066 knowledge consisting of not less than five years of managerial or 34
6167 strategic planning experience in matters relating to the fire services. 35
6268 (2) The functions, powers, duties and personnel of the former Office 36
6369 of State Fire Administrator shall be transferred to the Division of Fire 37
6470 Services Administration pursuant to the provisions of sections 4-38d 38
6571 and 4-39. 39
6672 (3) The Division of Fire Services Administration shall constitute the 40
6773 successor to the Office of State Fire Administrator in accordance with 41
6874 the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39. Wherever the words 42
6975 "State Fire Administrator" are used in the general statutes, the words 43
70-"Deputy Director of the Division of Fire Services Administration within 44
76+"Deputy Director of the Division of Fire Services Administration within 44 Raised Bill No. 6838
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7182 the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection" shall be 45
7283 substituted in lieu thereof. Wherever the words "Office of State Fire 46
7384 Administrator" are used in the general statutes, the words "Division of 47
74-Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency 48 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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85+Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency 48
8186 Services and Public Protection" shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Any 49
8287 order or regulation of the former Office of State Fire Administrator that 50
8388 is in force on the effective date of this section shall continue in force and 51
8489 effect as an order or regulation of the Division of Fire Services 52
8590 Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and 53
8691 Public Protection until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to 54
8792 law. 55
8893 Sec. 2. Section 7-323l of the general statutes is repealed and the 56
8994 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 57
9095 (a) The commission shall: 58
9196 (1) Recommend minimum standards of education and physical 59
9297 condition required of each candidate for any firefighter position; 60
9398 (2) Establish standards for [a] fire service training and education 61
9499 [program, on a voluntary basis] programs, and develop and conduct an 62
95100 examination program to certify those fire service personnel who 63
96101 satisfactorily demonstrate their ability to meet the requirements of the 64
97102 fire service training and education program standards; 65
98103 (3) Establish an optional fire service training and education program 66
99104 in the handling of incidents, such as wandering, that involve juveniles 67
100105 and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment or 68
101106 nonverbal learning disorder, provided the curriculum for such 69
102107 techniques is made available at no cost from (A) institutions of higher 70
103108 education, health care professionals or advocacy organizations that are 71
104109 concerned with juveniles and adults with autism spectrum disorder, 72
105110 cognitive impairment or nonverbal learning disorder, or (B) 73
106111 collaborations of such institutions, professionals or organizations; 74
107-(4) Conduct fire fighting training and education programs designed 75
112+(4) Conduct fire fighting training and education programs designed 75 Raised Bill No. 6838
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108118 to assist firefighters in developing and maintaining their skills and 76
109119 keeping abreast of technological advances in fire suppression, fire 77
110-protection, fire prevention and related fields; 78 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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120+protection, fire prevention and related fields; 78
117121 (5) Recommend standards for promotion to the various ranks of fire 79
118122 departments; 80
119123 (6) Be authorized, with the approval of the Commissioner of 81
120124 Emergency Services and Public Protection, to apply for, receive and 82
121125 distribute any state, federal or private funds or contributions available 83
122126 for training and education of fire fighting personnel; 84
123127 (7) Recommend that the Commissioner of Emergency Services and 85
124128 Public Protection approve or reject the establishment of, or, when 86
125129 appropriate, suspend or revoke the approval of, regional fire schools in 87
126130 accordance with section 7-323u; [and] 88
127-(8) Distribute any state, federal or private funds or contributions for 89
128-the daily operation of the state fire school and regional fire schools; 90
129-(9) Coordinate activities with the deputy commissioner of the 91
130-Division of State Fire Services Administration within the Department of 92
131-Emergency Services and Public Protection; 93
132-(10) Annually submit proposals for legislation to promote firefighter 94
133-training to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public 95
134-Protection and provide testimony to the General Assembly; and 96
135-[(8)] (11) Submit to the Governor, the [Joint Legislative Management 97
136-Committee of the General Assembly] joint standing committee of the 98
137-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety 99
138-and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, and the 100
139-Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection an annual 101
140-report (A) relating to the activities, recommendations and 102
141-accomplishments of the commission, and (B) making recommendations 103
142-on the funding necessary for the operation of, the maintenance of and 104
143-capital improvements to the state fire school and regional fire schools. 105
144-(b) The commission may recommend, and the Commissioner of 106
145-Emergency Services and Public Protection may adopt, regulations in 107
146-accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 as necessary to implement 108 Substitute Bill No. 6838
131+(8) Be authorized to distribute any state, federal or private funds or 89
132+contributions for the daily operation of the state fire school and regional 90
133+fire schools; 91
134+(9) Coordinate activities with the deputy commissioner of the 92
135+Division of State Fire Services Administration within the Department of 93
136+Emergency Services and Public Protection; 94
137+(10) Annually submit proposals for legislation to promote firefighter 95
138+training to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public 96
139+Protection and provide testimony to the General Assembly; and 97
140+[(8)] (11) Submit to the Governor, the [Joint Legislative Management 98
141+Committee of the General Assembly] joint standing committee of the 99
142+General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety 100
143+and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, and the 101
144+Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection an annual 102
145+report (A) relating to the activities, recommendations and 103
146+accomplishments of the commission, and (B) making recommendations 104
147+on the funding necessary for the operation of, the maintenance of and 105 Raised Bill No. 6838
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153-the provisions of this section. 109
154-Sec. 3. Section 7-323n of the general statutes is repealed and the 110
155-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 111
156-[There is established an Office of State Fire Administration, which 112
157-office] The Division of State Fire Services Administration within the 113
158-Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall: (a) 114
159-Carry out the provisions of this part; (b) administer the state's 115
160-responsibilities under federal laws relevant to fire service; (c) develop a 116
161-master plan for fire prevention and control; and (d) carry out any other 117
162-function which the commission may devise. [Subject to the provisions 118
163-of chapter 67, the commission may appoint such clerical and other 119
164-assistants as it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this 120
165-section.] 121
166-Sec. 4. Section 7-323o of the general statutes is repealed and the 122
167-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 123
168-(a) [There is established the position of State Fire Administrator who 124
169-shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and 125
170-Control and appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and 126
171-Public Protection and who] The deputy commissioner of the Division of 127
172-Fire Services Administration shall: 128
173-(1) Carry out the requirements of section 7-323n, as amended by this 129
174-act; 130
175-(2) [administer] Administer federal funds and grants allocated to the 131
176-fire services of the state; 132
177-(3) [provide] Provide technical assistance and guidance to fire 133
178-fighting forces of any state or municipal agency; 134
179-(4) [develop] Develop a centralized information and audiovisual 135
180-library regarding fire prevention and control; 136 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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153+capital improvements to the state fire school and regional fire schools. 106
154+(b) The commission may recommend, and the Commissioner of 107
155+Emergency Services and Public Protection may adopt, regulations in 108
156+accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 as necessary to implement 109
157+the provisions of this section. 110
158+Sec. 3. Section 7-323n of the general statutes is repealed and the 111
159+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 112
160+[There is established an Office of State Fire Administration, which 113
161+office] The Division of State Fire Services Administration within the 114
162+Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall: (a) 115
163+Carry out the provisions of this part; (b) administer the state's 116
164+responsibilities under federal laws relevant to fire service; (c) develop a 117
165+master plan for fire prevention and control; and (d) carry out any other 118
166+function which the commission may devise. [Subject to the provisions 119
167+of chapter 67, the commission may appoint such clerical and other 120
168+assistants as it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this 121
169+section.] 122
170+Sec. 4. Section 7-323o of the general statutes is repealed and the 123
171+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 124
172+(a) [There is established the position of State Fire Administrator who 125
173+shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and 126
174+Control and appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and 127
175+Public Protection and who] The deputy commissioner of the Division of 128
176+Fire Services Administration shall: 129
177+(1) Carry out the requirements of section 7-323n, as amended by this 130
178+act; 131
179+(2) [administer] Administer federal funds and grants allocated to the 132
180+fire services of the state; 133
181+(3) [provide] Provide technical assistance and guidance to fire 134
182+fighting forces of any state or municipal agency; 135 Raised Bill No. 6838
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187-(5) [accumulate] Accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire 137
188-prevention data; 138
189-(6) [recommend] Recommend specifications of fire service materials 139
190-and equipment and assist in the purchasing thereof; 140
191-(7) [assist] Assist in mutual aid coordination; 141
192-(8) [coordinate] Coordinate fire programs with those of the other 142
193-states; 143
194-(9) [assist] Assist in communications coordination; 144
195-(10) [establish] Establish and maintain a fire service information 145
196-program; [and] 146
197-(11) [review] Review the purchase of fire apparatus or equipment at 147
198-state institutions, facilities and properties; [and, on and after July 1, 1985, 148
199-coordinate the training and education of fire service personnel at such 149
200-institutions, facilities and properties.] 150
201-(12) Prepare, recommend and provide reports on revisions, 151
202-consolidations or compilations of statutes relating to firefighter training 152
203-and fire prevention and control; 153
204-(13) Advise and assist the Commission on Fire Prevention and 154
205-Control regarding legislative proposals; 155
206-(14) Encourage the expansion and improvement of existing local 156
207-firefighter training facilities in cooperation with the Commission on Fire 157
208-Prevention and Control; 158
209-(15) Administer the state fire school; 159
210-(16) Administer certification examinations, testing procedures and 160
211-reciprocity recognition for credentials in the fire service disciplines; and 161
212-(17) Make recommendations to the Commission on Fire Prevention 162 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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188+(4) [develop] Develop a centralized information and audiovisual 136
189+library regarding fire prevention and control; 137
190+(5) [accumulate] Accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire 138
191+prevention data; 139
192+(6) [recommend] Recommend specifications of fire service materials 140
193+and equipment and assist in the purchasing thereof; 141
194+(7) [assist] Assist in mutual aid coordination; 142
195+(8) [coordinate] Coordinate fire programs with those of the other 143
196+states; 144
197+(9) [assist] Assist in communications coordination; 145
198+(10) [establish] Establish and maintain a fire service information 146
199+program; [and] 147
200+(11) [review] Review the purchase of fire apparatus or equipment at 148
201+state institutions, facilities and properties; [and, on and after July 1, 1985, 149
202+coordinate the training and education of fire service personnel at such 150
203+institutions, facilities and properties] 151
204+(12) Prepare, recommend and provide reports on revisions, 152
205+consolidations or compilations of statutes relating to firefighter training 153
206+and fire prevention and control; 154
207+(13) Advise and assist the Commission on Fire Prevention and 155
208+Control regarding legislative proposals; 156
209+(14) Encourage the expansion and improvement of existing local 157
210+firefighter training facilities in cooperation with the Commission on Fire 158
211+Prevention and Control; 159
212+(15) Administer the state fire school; 160
213+(16) Administer certification examinations, testing procedures and 161
214+reciprocity recognition for credentials in the fire service disciplines; and 162 Raised Bill No. 6838
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219-and Control pertaining to the operational funding of the state fire school 163
220-and regional fire schools. 164
221-(b) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to 165
222-forest fire prevention and control programs administered by the 166
223-Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant to 167
224-sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive. 168
225-Sec. 5. Section 7-313m of the general statutes is repealed and the 169
226-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 170
227-(a) Not later than January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the chief 171
228-of a volunteer fire department for a distressed municipality, as defined 172
229-in section 32-9p, shall submit to the [State Fire Administrator] deputy 173
230-commissioner of the Division of Fire Services Administration within the 174
231-Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection a report on 175
232-the yearly average of the number of volunteer firefighters from such 176
233-municipality's volunteer fire department who enrolled in Firefighter I 177
234-certification and recruit training based on the preceding four years, 178
235-except the year commencing January 1, 2020, shall not be included in 179
236-any such four preceding years for purposes of calculating such average. 180
237-(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, and each fiscal year 181
238-thereafter, the [State Fire Administrator] Division of Fire Services 182
239-Administration shall award a grant to any distressed municipality with 183
240-a volunteer fire department for the purposes of covering costs related to 184
241-the provision of Firefighter I certification and recruit training for 185
242-volunteer firefighters at regional fire schools. The amount of such grant 186
243-award for each such distressed municipality shall be equal to the 187
244-product of (1) the average cost of a Firefighter I certification and recruit 188
245-training program at a regional fire school, and (2) the average number 189
246-of volunteer firefighters from such distressed municipality's volunteer 190
247-fire department who enrolled at a regional fire school for such 191
248-certification and training. 192
249-(c) Not later than February 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the [State 193 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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220+(17) Make recommendations to the Commission on Fire Prevention 163
221+and Control pertaining to the operational funding of the state fire school 164
222+and regional fire schools. 165
223+(b) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to 166
224+forest fire prevention and control programs administered by the 167
225+Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant to 168
226+sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive. 169
227+Sec. 5. Section 7-313m of the general statutes is repealed and the 170
228+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 171
229+(a) Not later than January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the chief 172
230+of a volunteer fire department for a distressed municipality, as defined 173
231+in section 32-9p, shall submit to the [State Fire Administrator] deputy 174
232+commissioner of the Division of Fire Services Administration within the 175
233+Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection a report on 176
234+the yearly average of the number of volunteer firefighters from such 177
235+municipality's volunteer fire department who enrolled in Firefighter I 178
236+certification and recruit training based on the preceding four years, 179
237+except the year commencing January 1, 2020, shall not be included in 180
238+any such four preceding years for purposes of calculating such average. 181
239+(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, and each fiscal year 182
240+thereafter, the [State Fire Administrator] Division of Fire Services 183
241+Administration shall award a grant to any distressed municipality with 184
242+a volunteer fire department for the purposes of covering costs related to 185
243+the provision of Firefighter I certification and recruit training for 186
244+volunteer firefighters at regional fire schools. The amount of such grant 187
245+award for each such distressed municipality shall be equal to the 188
246+product of (1) the average cost of a Firefighter I certification and recruit 189
247+training program at a regional fire school, and (2) the average number 190
248+of volunteer firefighters from such distressed municipality's volunteer 191
249+fire department who enrolled at a regional fire school for such 192
250+certification and training. 193
251+(c) Not later than February 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the [State 194 Raised Bill No. 6838
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256-Fire Administrator] Division of Fire Services Administration shall 194
257-submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint 195
258-standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 196
259-matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies a 197
260-report on the (1) reports submitted by the chiefs of volunteer fire 198
261-departments of distressed municipalities pursuant to subsection (a) of 199
262-this section, and (2) average cost of a Firefighter I certification and 200
263-recruit training program at a regional fire school. 201
264-Sec. 6. Section 7-323s of the general statutes is repealed and the 202
265-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 203
266-(a) The [State Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the 204
267-Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of 205
268-Emergency Services and Public Protection , within available 206
269-appropriations, shall develop model guidelines, on or before January 1, 207
270-2007, to be used by municipalities with paid municipal emergency 208
271-personnel and municipalities with volunteer emergency personnel in 209
272-entering into agreements authorizing volunteer emergency personnel to 210
273-serve during personal time. 211
274-(b) A municipality with paid municipal emergency personnel and a 212
275-municipality with volunteer emergency personnel may enter into an 213
276-agreement authorizing paid emergency personnel to serve during 214
277-personal time as active members of a volunteer fire department in the 215
278-municipality in which they reside. In developing such agreements, such 216
279-municipalities shall consider the model guidelines developed by the 217
280-[State Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the Division of Fire 218
281-Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services 219
282-and Public Protection pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. 220
283-(c) The municipalities that are parties to an agreement entered into 221
284-under subsection (b) of this section may request the Labor 222
285-Commissioner to provide assistance, within available appropriations, in 223
286-resolving such issues arising out of the agreement as the commissioner 224
287-deems appropriate. 225 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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257+Fire Administrator] Division of Fire Services Administration shall 195
258+submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint 196
259+standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 197
260+matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies a 198
261+report on the (1) reports submitted by the chiefs of volunteer fire 199
262+departments of distressed municipalities pursuant to subsection (a) of 200
263+this section, and (2) average cost of a Firefighter I certification and 201
264+recruit training program at a regional fire school. 202
265+Sec. 6. Section 7-323s of the general statutes is repealed and the 203
266+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 204
267+(a) The [State Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the 205
268+Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of 206
269+Emergency Services and Public Protection , within available 207
270+appropriations, shall develop model guidelines, on or before January 1, 208
271+2007, to be used by municipalities with paid municipal emergency 209
272+personnel and municipalities with volunteer emergency personnel in 210
273+entering into agreements authorizing volunteer emergency personnel to 211
274+serve during personal time. 212
275+(b) A municipality with paid municipal emergency personnel and a 213
276+municipality with volunteer emergency personnel may enter into an 214
277+agreement authorizing paid emergency personnel to serve during 215
278+personal time as active members of a volunteer fire department in the 216
279+municipality in which they reside. In developing such agreements, such 217
280+municipalities shall consider the model guidelines developed by the 218
281+[State Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the Division of Fire 219
282+Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services 220
283+and Public Protection pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. 221
284+(c) The municipalities that are parties to an agreement entered into 222
285+under subsection (b) of this section may request the Labor 223
286+Commissioner to provide assistance, within available appropriations, in 224
287+resolving such issues arising out of the agreement as the commissioner 225
288+deems appropriate. 226 Raised Bill No. 6838
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294-Sec. 7. Section 7-323v of the general statutes is repealed and the 226
295-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 227
296-(a) The [State Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the 228
297-Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of 229
298-Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, within available 230
299-appropriations, pay five hundred dollars to each volunteer fire 231
300-company for each call to which it responds on (1) a limited access 232
301-highway, designated pursuant to section 13b-27, (2) the section of the 233
302-highway known as the Berlin Turnpike, which begins at the end of the 234
303-existing Wilbur Cross Parkway in the town of Meriden and extends 235
304-northerly along Route 15 to the beginning of a section of limited access 236
305-highway in the town of Wethersfield known as South Meadows 237
306-Expressway, or (3) the section of Route 8 in the town of Beacon Falls 238
307-which is within the boundaries of the Naugatuck State Forest. 239
308-(b) No municipality that provides funds to a volunteer fire company 240
309-may reduce such funding based on the payments that such company 241
310-receives, or is anticipated to receive, under subsection (a) of this section. 242
311-Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 22a-601 of the general statutes is 243
312-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 244
313-1, 2023): 245
314-(a) There is established a Connecticut Emergency Response 246
315-Commission which shall be within the Department of Energy and 247
316-Environmental Protection. The commission shall consist of eighteen 248
317-members as follows: The Commissioners of Energy and Environmental 249
318-Protection, Emergency Services and Public Protection, Public Health 250
319-and Transportation, the Labor Commissioner, the Secretary of the Office 251
320-of Policy and Management, the Adjutant General of the Military 252
321-Department, the State Fire Marshal, and the [State Fire Administrator] 253
322-deputy commissioner of the Division of Fire Services Administration 254
323-within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or 255
324-their designees or a designee, and nine members appointed by the 256
325-Governor, four of whom shall represent the public, three of whom shall 257 Substitute Bill No. 6838
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294+Sec. 7. Section 7-323v of the general statutes is repealed and the 227
295+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 228
296+(a) The [State Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the 229
297+Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of 230
298+Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, within available 231
299+appropriations, pay five hundred dollars to each volunteer fire 232
300+company for each call to which it responds on (1) a limited access 233
301+highway, designated pursuant to section 13b-27, (2) the section of the 234
302+highway known as the Berlin Turnpike, which begins at the end of the 235
303+existing Wilbur Cross Parkway in the town of Meriden and extends 236
304+northerly along Route 15 to the beginning of a section of limited access 237
305+highway in the town of Wethersfield known as South Meadows 238
306+Expressway, or (3) the section of Route 8 in the town of Beacon Falls 239
307+which is within the boundaries of the Naugatuck State Forest. 240
308+(b) No municipality that provides funds to a volunteer fire company 241
309+may reduce such funding based on the payments that such company 242
310+receives, or is anticipated to receive, under subsection (a) of this section. 243
311+Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 22a-601 of the general statutes is 244
312+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 245
313+1, 2023): 246
314+(a) There is established a Connecticut Emergency Response 247
315+Commission which shall be within the Department of Energy and 248
316+Environmental Protection. The commission shall consist of eighteen 249
317+members as follows: The Commissioners of Energy and Environmental 250
318+Protection, Emergency Services and Public Protection, Public Health 251
319+and Transportation, the Labor Commissioner, the Secretary of the Office 252
320+of Policy and Management, the Adjutant General of the Military 253
321+Department, the State Fire Marshal, and the [State Fire Administrator] 254
322+deputy commissioner of the Division of Fire Services Administration 255
323+within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or 256
324+their designees or a designee, and nine members appointed by the 257
325+Governor, four of whom shall represent the public, three of whom shall 258 Raised Bill No. 6838
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332-represent owners or operators of facilities, one of whom shall be the fire 258
333-chief of a municipal fire department whose employees are compensated 259
334-for their services and one of whom shall be the fire chief of a volunteer 260
335-fire department. Members of the commission appointed by the 261
336-Governor shall serve for two years. The Governor shall fill any vacancy 262
337-in the office of an appointed member for the unexpired portion of the 263
338-term. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but 264
339-shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance 265
340-of their duties. The chairperson of the commission shall be appointed by 266
341-the Governor and shall serve at his pleasure. 267
342-Sec. 9. Section 28-29a of the general statutes is repealed and the 268
343-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 269
344-(a) There is established an E 9-1-1 Commission to (1) advise the 270
345-division in the planning, design, implementation and coordination of 271
346-the state-wide emergency 9-1-1 telephone system created pursuant to 272
347-sections 28-25 to 28-29b, inclusive, and (2) in consultation with the 273
348-Coordinating Advisory Board established pursuant to section 29-1t, 274
349-advise the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection 275
350-in the planning, design, implementation, coordination and governance 276
351-of the public safety data network established pursuant to section 29-1j. 277
352-(b) The commission shall be appointed by the Governor and shall 278
353-consist of the following members: (1) One representative from the 279
354-technical support services unit of the Division of State Police within the 280
355-Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (2) the [State 281
356-Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the Division of Fire 282
357-Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services 283
358-and Public Protection; (3) one representative from the Office of 284
359-Emergency Medical Services; (4) one representative from the Division 285
360-of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the 286
361-Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (5) the 287
362-Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee; (6) the 288
363-Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the 289
364-commissioner's designee; (7) the Commissioner of Children and 290 Substitute Bill No. 6838
329+LCO No. 4901 10 of 12
330+
331+represent owners or operators of facilities, one of whom shall be the fire 259
332+chief of a municipal fire department whose employees are compensated 260
333+for their services and one of whom shall be the fire chief of a volunteer 261
334+fire department. Members of the commission appointed by the 262
335+Governor shall serve for two years. The Governor shall fill any vacancy 263
336+in the office of an appointed member for the unexpired portion of the 264
337+term. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but 265
338+shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance 266
339+of their duties. The chairperson of the commission shall be appointed by 267
340+the Governor and shall serve at his pleasure. 268
341+Sec. 9. Section 28-29a of the general statutes is repealed and the 269
342+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 270
343+(a) There is established an E 9-1-1 Commission to (1) advise the 271
344+division in the planning, design, implementation and coordination of 272
345+the state-wide emergency 9-1-1 telephone system created pursuant to 273
346+sections 28-25 to 28-29b, inclusive, and (2) in consultation with the 274
347+Coordinating Advisory Board established pursuant to section 29-1t, 275
348+advise the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection 276
349+in the planning, design, implementation, coordination and governance 277
350+of the public safety data network established pursuant to section 29-1j. 278
351+(b) The commission shall be appointed by the Governor and shall 279
352+consist of the following members: (1) One representative from the 280
353+technical support services unit of the Division of State Police within the 281
354+Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (2) the [State 282
355+Fire Administrator] deputy commissioner of the Division of Fire 283
356+Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services 284
357+and Public Protection; (3) one representative from the Office of 285
358+Emergency Medical Services; (4) one representative from the Division 286
359+of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the 287
360+Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (5) the 288
361+Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee; (6) the 289
362+Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the 290
363+commissioner's designee; (7) the Commissioner of Children and 291 Raised Bill No. 6838
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371-Families, or the commissioner's designee; (8) one municipal police chief; 291
372-(9) one municipal fire chief; (10) one volunteer fireman; (11) one 292
373-representative of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities; (12) one 293
374-representative of the Council of Small Towns; (13) one representative of 294
375-telecommunicators, as defined in section 28-30; (14) one representative 295
376-of the public; (15) one manager or coordinator of 9-1-1 public safety 296
377-answering points serving areas of differing population concentration; 297
378-and (16) one representative of providers of commercial mobile radio 298
379-services, as defined in 47 Code of Federal Regulations 20.3, as amended. 299
380-Each member shall serve for a term of three years from the date of his 300
381-or her appointment or until a successor has been appointed and 301
382-qualified. No member of the commission shall receive compensation for 302
383-such member's services. 303
384-Sec. 10. (Effective July 1, 2023) Not later than October 1, 2023, the 304
385-Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall 305
386-choose a contractor to study issues facing the fire service in the state and 306
387-develop a strategic master plan to address such issues and prepare the 307
388-state for the future. Not later than January 1, 2025, the commissioner 308
389-shall report the results of such study to the Governor and the joint 309
390-standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 310
391-matters relating to public safety and security, in accordance with the 311
392-provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 312
393-Sec. 11. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of two hundred fifty thousand 313
394-dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 314
395-Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 315
396-30, 2024, for purposes of conducting the study required by section 10 of 316
397-this act. 317
367+LCO No. 4901 11 of 12
368+
369+Families, or the commissioner's designee; (8) one municipal police chief; 292
370+(9) one municipal fire chief; (10) one volunteer fireman; (11) one 293
371+representative of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities; (12) one 294
372+representative of the Council of Small Towns; (13) one representative of 295
373+telecommunicators, as defined in section 28-30; (14) one representative 296
374+of the public; (15) one manager or coordinator of 9-1-1 public safety 297
375+answering points serving areas of differing population concentration; 298
376+and (16) one representative of providers of commercial mobile radio 299
377+services, as defined in 47 Code of Federal Regulations 20.3, as amended. 300
378+Each member shall serve for a term of three years from the date of his 301
379+or her appointment or until a successor has been appointed and 302
380+qualified. No member of the commission shall receive compensation for 303
381+such member's services. 304
382+Sec. 10. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than October 1, 2023, the 305
383+Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall 306
384+choose a contractor to study issues facing the fire service in the state and 307
385+develop a strategic master plan to address such issues and prepare the 308
386+state for the future. Not later than January 1, 2025, the commissioner 309
387+shall report the results of such study to the Governor and the joint 310
388+standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 311
389+matters relating to public safety and security, in accordance with the 312
390+provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 313
391+(b) The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars is appropriated to 314
392+the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection from the 315
393+General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, for purposes of 316
394+conducting the study required by subsection (a) of this section. 317
398395 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
399396 sections:
400397
401398 Section 1 October 1, 2023 29-1b
402399 Sec. 2 October 1, 2023 7-323l
403-Sec. 3 October 1, 2023 7-323n Substitute Bill No. 6838
400+Sec. 3 October 1, 2023 7-323n
401+Sec. 4 October 1, 2023 7-323o
402+Sec. 5 October 1, 2023 7-313m Raised Bill No. 6838
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410-Sec. 4 October 1, 2023 7-323o
411-Sec. 5 October 1, 2023 7-313m
406+LCO No. 4901 12 of 12
407+
412408 Sec. 6 October 1, 2023 7-323s
413409 Sec. 7 October 1, 2023 7-323v
414410 Sec. 8 October 1, 2023 22a-601(a)
415411 Sec. 9 October 1, 2023 28-29a
416412 Sec. 10 July 1, 2023 New section
417-Sec. 11 July 1, 2023 New section
418413
419-Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
420-In Section 2(a)(8), "Be authorized to distribute" was changed to
421-"Distribute" for conciseness; and Section 10(b) was changed to Section
422-11 for consistency with standard drafting conventions.
423-
424-PS Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO
414+Statement of Purpose:
415+To establish a Division of Fire Services Administration within the
416+Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and transfer
417+the powers and duties of the Office of State Fire Administrator to said
418+division, revise the powers and duties of the Commission on Fire
419+Prevention and Control and require the Department of Emergency
420+Services and Public Protection to contract for a study of the fire service
421+in the state.
422+[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
423+that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
424+underlined.]
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