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General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6841
January Session, 2023
LCO No. 5170
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
Introduced by:
(PS)
AN ACT CONCERNING FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) There is established a Fire 1
Service Youth Program Advisory Board. The board shall be within the 2
Office of State Fire Administrator for administrative purposes only. The 3
board shall consist of the following members: 4
(1) The director of fire training in the Office of State Fire 5
Administrator, who shall serve as chairperson of the board; 6
(2) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; 7
(3) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee; 8
(4) The Chief Workforce Officer of the Office of Workforce Strategy, 9
or such officer's designee; 10
(5) The director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services within 11
the Department of Public Health, or the director's designee; 12 Raised Bill No. 6841
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(6) The executive director of the Technical Education and Career 13
System, or such executive director's designee; 14
(7) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 15
one of whom has expertise in fire services; 16
(8) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of 17
whom has expertise in occupational safety; 18
(9) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 19
Representatives, who has expertise in legal issues relating to firefighters 20
or emergency medical services; 21
(10) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who has 22
expertise in public health in matters relating to firefighters or emergency 23
medical services; 24
(11) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 25
Representatives; 26
(12) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and 27
(13) One appointed by the Governor. 28
(b) The board shall: 29
(1) Advise the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control; 30
(2) Develop a standard curriculum for grades nine through twelve, 31
inclusive, emphasizing the importance of public safety and community 32
service, and a plan for public safety tracks for technical high schools to 33
offer to students, including specific tracks and certifications for 34
firefighting and emergency medical services; 35
(3) Introduce the curriculum and implement the public safety tracks 36
developed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection as a pilot 37
program in one technical high school not later than July 1, 2025, and 38
make such curriculum and tracks available to other technical high 39
schools and other high schools; 40 Raised Bill No. 6841
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(4) Coordinate state funding to technical high schools and other high 41
schools to provide such curriculum and tracks; 42
(5) Establish a training program for fire service instructors in 43
technical high schools and other high schools; 44
(6) Support fire departments that provide or seek to provide cadet or 45
explorer programs; and 46
(7) Expand and implement components of the United States Fire 47
Administration fire service apprenticeship program. 48
(c) The board shall employ a full-time youth program coordinator, 49
who shall coordinate and oversee technical high school and other high 50
school curriculum and public safety track programs, implement state 51
standards and a best practices guide for such programs, ensure the 52
consistency and continuity of such programs and oversee the hiring and 53
training of program instructors. 54
(d) The board shall employ a full-time cadet or explorer program 55
coordinator, who shall coordinate and oversee cadet or explorer 56
programs, implement state standards and a best practices guide for such 57
programs, encourage establishment and expansion of such programs 58
throughout the state and encourage the expanded use of regional fire 59
schools for such programs. 60
(e) In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year 61
thereafter, the board shall pay five thousand dollars to (1) each technical 62
high school or other high school that operates, or plans to operate in the 63
following fiscal year, a program with public safety tracks pursuant to 64
the curriculum developed under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this 65
section, and (2) each fire department that operates, or plans to operate 66
in the following fiscal year, a cadet or explorer program. 67
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Commissioner of Emergency 68
Services and Public Protection shall appoint a firefighter recruitment 69
and training coordinator in each emergency preparedness region 70 Raised Bill No. 6841
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designated by the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland 71
Security within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 72
Protection. Each such coordinator shall (1) recruit individuals for careers 73
in firefighting or manage such recruitment programs, and (2) provide 74
training assistance to fire departments and, upon request of a fire 75
department, coordinate or conduct training programs. 76
Sec. 3. Section 7-323o of the general statutes is repealed and the 77
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 78
(a) There is established the position of State Fire Administrator who 79
shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and 80
Control and appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and 81
Public Protection and who shall: (1) Carry out the requirements of 82
section 7-323n; (2) administer federal funds and grants allocated to the 83
fire services of the state; (3) provide technical assistance and guidance 84
to fire fighting forces of any state or municipal agency; (4) develop a 85
centralized information and audiovisual library regarding fire 86
prevention and control; (5) accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire 87
prevention data; (6) recommend specifications of fire service materials 88
and equipment and assist in the purchasing thereof; (7) assist in mutual 89
aid coordination; (8) coordinate fire programs with those of the other 90
states; (9) assist in communications coordination; (10) establish and 91
maintain a fire service information program; and (11) review the 92
purchase of fire apparatus or equipment at state institutions, facilities 93
and properties and, on and after July 1, 1985, coordinate the training and 94
education of fire service personnel at such institutions, facilities and 95
properties. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply 96
to forest fire prevention and control programs administered by the 97
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant to 98
sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive. 99
(b) (1) The State Fire Administrator shall develop, or enter into an 100
agreement with a vendor to develop, facilities across the state that 101
provide opportunities to train for and take the candidate physical ability 102
test for firefighters throughout the year. The administrator shall seek to 103 Raised Bill No. 6841
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develop such facilities at multiple locations that are designed to improve 104
opportunities for, and access to, training and test taking, and shall give 105
a preference to locations at regional fire school sites. The administrator 106
shall provide equipment for such training and test taking at any regional 107
fire school or state facility that offers such training and test taking. 108
(2) The director of fire training within the Office of the State Fire 109
Administrator shall act as coordinator of such training and oversee such 110
training and testing facilities. 111
Sec. 4. Section 7-323p of the general statutes is repealed and the 112
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 113
(a) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 114
shall (1) maintain and operate a state fire school that shall serve as the 115
training and education facility for the Commission on Fire Prevention 116
and Control, [and] (2) provide training and educational services in 117
accordance with the standards established pursuant to section 7-323l, 118
and (3) provide instructors and facilities sufficient to conduct training 119
for at least three classes of recruits at the state fire school each year. The 120
use of any hazardous material, as defined in section 29-307a, except a 121
virgin fuel, is prohibited in the simulation of any fire. The Department 122
of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, in consultation with 123
the commission, fix fees for training and education programs and 124
sessions and for such other purposes deemed necessary for the 125
operation and support of the school. Such fees shall be used solely for 126
training and education purposes. 127
(b) The department may establish and maintain a state fire school 128
training and education extension account, which shall be a separate 129
account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys 130
required by law to be deposited in the account. The account shall be 131
used for the operation of such training and education programs and 132
sessions as said department may establish, for the purchase of such 133
equipment as is required for use in the operation of such programs and 134
sessions, and, within available funding, for (1) reimbursement to 135 Raised Bill No. 6841
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municipalities and municipal fire departments for one-half of the costs 136
of Firefighter I certification and recruit training of municipal volunteer 137
and paid fire service personnel, and (2) reimbursement to state agencies 138
for one-half of the costs of Firefighter I certification and recruit training 139
of state agency fire service personnel. All proceeds derived from the 140
operation of the training and education programs and sessions shall be 141
deposited in the General Fund and shall be credited to and become a 142
part of the resources of the account. All direct expenses incurred in the 143
conduct of the training, certification and education programs and 144
sessions shall be charged, and any payments of interest and principal of 145
bonds or any sums transferable to any fund for the payment of interest 146
and principal of bonds and any cost of equipment for such operations 147
may be charged, against the account on order of the State Comptroller. 148
Any balance of receipts above expenditures shall remain in the account 149
to be used by the department for training and education programs and 150
sessions, and for the acquisition, as provided by section 4b-21, alteration 151
and repairs of real property for educational facilities, except such sums 152
as may be required to be transferred from time to time to any fund for 153
the redemption of bonds and payment of interest on bonds, provided 154
repairs, alterations or additions to educational facilities costing fifty 155
thousand dollars or less shall require the approval of the Commissioner 156
of Administrative Services, and capital projects costing over fifty 157
thousand dollars shall require the approval of the General Assembly or, 158
when the General Assembly is not in session, of the Finance Advisory 159
Committee. 160
(c) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection may 161
establish and maintain a state fire school auxiliary services account, 162
which shall be a separate account within the General Fund. The account 163
shall be used for the operation, maintenance and repair of auxiliary 164
service facilities and for such other auxiliary activities of the state fire 165
school as said department determines. The proceeds of such activities 166
shall be deposited in the General Fund and shall be credited to and 167
become a part of the resources of the account. All direct expenses of 168
operation, maintenance and repair of facilities, food services and other 169 Raised Bill No. 6841
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auxiliary activities shall be charged, and any payments of interest and 170
principal of bonds or any sums transferable to any fund for the payment 171
of interest and principal of bonds and any cost of equipment for such 172
operations may be charged, against the account on order of the State 173
Comptroller. Any balance of receipts above expenditures shall remain 174
in the account to be used for the improvement and extension of such 175
activities, except such sums as may be required to be transferred from 176
time to time to any fund for the redemption of bonds and payment of 177
interest on bonds, provided repairs, alterations or additions to auxiliary 178
service facilities costing fifty thousand dollars or less shall require the 179
approval of the Commissioner of Administrative Services, and capital 180
projects costing over fifty thousand dollars shall require the approval of 181
the General Assembly or, when the General Assembly is not in session, 182
of the Finance Advisory Committee. The department, with the approval 183
of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Finance 184
Advisory Committee, may borrow from the resources of the General 185
Fund at any time such sum or sums as it deems advisable, to establish 186
or continue auxiliary services activities, such sums to be repaid in 187
accordance with such schedule as the Secretary of the Office of Policy 188
and Management shall establish. 189
(d) The compensation provided by the department to a fire service 190
instructor to provide fire service training shall be comparable to pay 191
provided by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council to a law 192
enforcement instructor for police officer training. 193
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) There is established a 194
paramedic candidate scholarship program administered by the 195
Department of Public Health. The program shall provide scholarships 196
to individuals receiving training to become licensed as a paramedic 197
pursuant to section 20-206ll of the general statutes. 198
(b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the department shall develop a 199
policy concerning the administration of the scholarship program. Such 200
policy shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions regarding (1) 201
eligibility criteria, and (2) the payment and distribution of the 202 Raised Bill No. 6841
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scholarships. 203
(c) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year 204
thereafter, the department shall award scholarships in accordance with 205
the provisions of this section and the policy developed pursuant to 206
subsection (b) of this section. 207
(d) The department may accept gifts, grants and donations from any 208
source, public or private, for the paramedic candidate scholarship 209
program. 210
Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) No fire department shall deny 211
employment as a firefighter to a prospective employee solely on the 212
basis of the prospective employee's status as a noncitizen of the United 213
States, provided such prospective employee is lawfully admitted for 214
permanent residence of the United States under federal law and 215
regulations. 216
Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Connecticut Housing Finance 217
Authority shall develop and administer a program of mortgage 218
assistance to uniformed members of paid or volunteer fire departments 219
in the state. Such assistance shall be available to an eligible firefighter 220
for the purchase of a house as such firefighter's principal residence in 221
the community served by such firefighter. In making mortgage 222
assistance available under the program, the authority shall utilize down 223
payment assistance or any other appropriate housing subsidies. The 224
terms of any mortgage assistance shall allow the mortgagee to realize a 225
reasonable portion of the equity gain upon sale of the mortgaged 226
property. 227
Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 10a-77 of the general statutes is 228
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 229
2023): 230
(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any of 231
the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child 232
of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to 233 Raised Bill No. 6841
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be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in 234
such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted 235
for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time 236
such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the 237
provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 238
section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 239
section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 240
time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 241
service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such 242
institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 243
accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the 244
state sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular 245
registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number 246
of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to 247
this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to 248
enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating 249
all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State 250
Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said 251
academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical 252
college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active 253
member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has 254
been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's 255
designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled 256
or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time 257
basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any 258
dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or 259
supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in 260
section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 261
employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 262
the line of duty, (7) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child 263
or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of 264
this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was 265
killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 266
10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of 267
the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who 268 Raised Bill No. 6841
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was killed in action while performing active military duty with the 269
armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and 270
who was a resident of this state, (10) for a uniformed member of a paid 271
or volunteer fire department, who has served as such a member in the 272
state for not less than two years, (11) for any dependent child of a 273
uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire department, who, as 274
documented by the chief of such department, has served as such a 275
member in the state for not less than five years, and (12) for any student 276
attending the state fire school, who is enrolled in a program at said 277
school offered in coordination with a regional community-technical 278
college that accredits courses taken in such program. If any person who 279
receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this 280
subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, 281
such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational 282
reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National Guard 283
described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the same 284
status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses 285
at regional community-technical colleges. Notwithstanding the 286
provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in 287
this state" includes domicile for less than one year. 288
Sec. 9. Subsection (d) of section 10a-99 of the general statutes is 289
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 290
2023): 291
(d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees at the 292
Connecticut State University System (1) for any dependent child of a 293
person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be 294
missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such 295
armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for 296
admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time 297
such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the 298
provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 299
section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 300
section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 301
time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 302 Raised Bill No. 6841
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service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such 303
institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 304
accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the 305
state sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for 306
admission to such institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in 307
a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration 308
period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students 309
other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this 310
subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll 311
and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such 312
students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy 313
who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered 314
in coordination with the university which accredits courses taken in 315
such program, (5) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or 316
Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General 317
or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of 318
the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such 319
institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or 320
graduate degree-granting program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) 321
police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or 322
auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or 323
member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) 324
state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) 325
for any resident of this state who is a dependent child or surviving 326
spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (8) 327
for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a 328
multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and 329
Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of the state 330
who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was 331
killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed 332
forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was 333
a resident of this state, (10) for a uniformed member of a paid or 334
volunteer fire department, who has served as such a member in the state 335
for not less than two years, (11) for any dependent child of a uniformed 336
member of a paid or volunteer fire department, who, as documented by 337 Raised Bill No. 6841
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the chief of such department, has served as such a member in the state 338
for not less than five years, and (12) for any student attending the state 339
fire school, who is enrolled in a program at said school offered in 340
coordination with the university that accredits courses taken in such 341
program. If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with 342
the provisions of this subsection also receives educational 343
reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the 344
amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of 345
the National Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall 346
be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in 347
registering for courses at Connecticut state universities. 348
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this 349
subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less than one 350
year. 351
Sec. 10. Subsection (e) of section 10a-105 of the general statutes is 352
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 353
2023): 354
(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees at 355
The University of Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person 356
whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing 357
in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed 358
forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission 359
to The University of Connecticut and is a resident of the state at the time 360
such child is accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the 361
provisions of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 362
section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 363
section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 364
time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 365
service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to said 366
institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 367
accepted for admission to said institution, (3) for any resident of the state 368
sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to 369
said institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-370
granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, 371 Raised Bill No. 6841
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there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other 372
than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to 373
offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is 374
space available in such course after accommodating all such students, 375
(4) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National 376
Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such 377
Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, 378
and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to said institution on a full-379
time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-380
granting program, (5) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as 381
defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, 382
(B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire 383
company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in 384
section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state 385
who is the dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist 386
victim who was a resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a 387
resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the 388
intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, 389
[and] (8) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or 390
surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing 391
active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or 392
after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (9) for a 393
uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire department, who has 394
served as such a member in the state for not less than two years, and 395
(10) for any dependent child of a uniformed member of a paid or 396
volunteer fire department, who, as documented by the chief of such 397
department, has served as such a member in the state for not less than 398
five years. If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance 399
with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational 400
reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the 401
amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of 402
the National Guard described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall 403
be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in 404
registering for courses at The University of Connecticut. 405
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this 406 Raised Bill No. 6841
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subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less than one 407
year. 408
Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) As used in this section: 409
(1) "Accrued service award" means the total value, as of a given date, 410
of a participant's program account. 411
(2) "Bona fide volunteer" has the same meaning as in Section 457(e) of 412
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding 413
internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to 414
time. 415
(3) "Commission" means the State Retirement Commission. 416
(4) "Eligible firefighter" means a firefighter who (A) is a bona fide 417
volunteer performing qualified services in a volunteer fire company or 418
department, and (B) is not otherwise earning credit for such qualified 419
service as a participant in any other length of service award program, 420
pension system operating pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision 421
(5) of subsection (c) of section 7-148 of the general statutes or any other 422
comparable program. 423
(5) "Participant" means an eligible firefighter who participates in the 424
program. 425
(6) "Program account" means a separate account maintained for each 426
participant reflecting applicable contributions, applicable forfeitures, 427
investment income or loss and administrative and investment expenses 428
allocated to each participant and paid from the Volunteer Firefighter 429
Length of Service Award Program Trust Fund, established under 430
subsection (c) of this section. 431
(7) "Qualified service" has the same meaning as provided in Section 432
457(e)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 433
corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 434
from time to time. 435 Raised Bill No. 6841
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(b) The State Retirement Commission, in consultation with the 436
Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the State Fire 437
Administrator, shall establish a volunteer firefighter length of service 438
award program. The State Retirement Commission may contract with 439
third parties to provide services for such program. 440
(c) There is established a Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service 441
Award Program Trust Fund. The fund shall contain any money s 442
required or permitted by law to be deposited in the fund and may apply 443
for and accept gifts, grants or donations from public or private sources 444
to enable the trust fund to carry out its objectives. Investment earnings 445
credited to the assets of the fund shall become part of the assets of the 446
fund. The fund shall be held in trust separate and apart from all other 447
moneys, funds and accounts. Any balance remaining in the fund at the 448
end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the fiscal 449
year next succeeding. The fund shall be used to make payments as 450
provided in this section and for administrative expenses related to the 451
provisions of this section. 452
(d) Not later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each 453
volunteer fire company or department shall submit to the commission a 454
list of eligible firefighters and the amount of service credit each such 455
firefighter has earned with such department, on a form and in a manner 456
as determined by the commission. 457
(e) (1) Not later than April 1, 2024, the commission shall determine 458
which eligible firefighters satisfy the service credit requirements 459
established pursuant to regulations adopted in accordance with 460
subsection (k) of this section to be participants in the program, and the 461
amount of credits applicable to each such participant. 462
(2) An eligible firefighter may decline to become a participant in the 463
program if such firefighter files with the commission, prior to such 464
firefighter satisfying such service credit requirements to become a 465
participant in the program, an irrevocable waiver of participation that 466
is signed by the eligible firefighter and the chief of the volunteer fire 467 Raised Bill No. 6841
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company or department of which such firefighter is a member. 468
(3) A participant shall receive service credit for service as an eligible 469
firefighter before, on and after the effective date of this section. Service 470
credit earned by a participant shall never be forfeited. 471
(f) Not later than July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the 472
commission shall credit a length of service award, in an amount 473
determined by the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (k) of this 474
section, to the program account of each participant who the commission 475
determines qualifies for a length of service award pursuant to the 476
service credit requirements established by such regulations. No such 477
award may exceed the limit provided in Section 457(e)(11) of the 478
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding 479
internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to 480
time. 481
(g) (1) A participant's accrued service award becomes vested once 482
such participant has five years of service credit, as determined pursuant 483
to regulations adopted under subsection (k) of this section. 484
(2) If a participant has not been an eligible firefighter for thirty-six 485
consecutive months and such participant's accrued service award has 486
not become vested, such accrued service award shall be forfeited and 487
deposited in the Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award 488
Program Trust Fund. 489
(h) The commission shall pay each participant such participant's 490
accrued service award when the participant: 491
(1) Attains the age of sixty-five, if such participant is vested pursuant 492
to subsection (g) of this section; 493
(2) Becomes vested pursuant to subsection (g) of this section and such 494
participant's age is sixty-five years or over; 495
(3) Has twenty years of service credit, provided the participant may, 496
prior to attaining such twenty years of service credit, file a written 497 Raised Bill No. 6841
LCO No. 5170 17 of 22
election with the commission to defer payment of the accrued service 498
award until the participant attains the age of sixty-five; 499
(4) Is vested and has not been an eligible firefighter for at least thirty-500
six consecutive months; or 501
(5) Has been determined to be totally and permanently disabled by 502
the United States Social Security Administration, the Workers' 503
Compensation Commission or any other entity approved by the State 504
Retirement Commission. 505
(i) If a participant is paid such participant's accrued service award 506
pursuant to subsection (h) of this section and subsequently qualifies for 507
a service award at any other time, the commission shall pay such service 508
award directly to such participant. 509
(j) If a participant dies prior to receiving such participant's accrued 510
service award pursuant to subsection (h) of this section or a service 511
award pursuant to subsection (i) of this section, the commission shall 512
pay such award to any beneficiary the participant has designated on a 513
form and in a manner prescribed by the commission. 514
(k) Not later than January 1, 2024, the State Retirement Commission, 515
in consultation with the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control 516
and the State Fire Administrator, shall adopt regulations, in accordance 517
with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement 518
the volunteer firefighter length of service award program. Such 519
regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions 520
regarding (1) earning service credits and determining the amount of 521
awards, which may include a point-based system that requires earning 522
points for responding to calls, attending meetings and trainings or other 523
factors, (2) documentation for earning such credits, including a system 524
to permit volunteer fire companies and departments to comply with the 525
requirements of subsection (d) of this section, and (3) contesting 526
determinations of service credits awarded to a participant. 527
Sec. 12. Section 3-13c of the general statutes is repealed and the 528 Raised Bill No. 6841
LCO No. 5170 18 of 22
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 529
Trust funds as used in sections 3-13 to 3-13e, inclusive, and 3-31b shall 530
be construed to include Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement 531
Fund A, Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B, 532
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund, Family and Medical Leave 533
Insurance Trust Fund, State's Attorneys' Retirement Fund, Teachers' 534
Annuity Fund, Teachers' Pension Fund, Teachers' Survivorship and 535
Dependency Fund, School Fund, State Employees Retirement Fund, the 536
Hospital Insurance Fund, Policemen and Firemen Survivor's Benefit 537
Fund, Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award Program Trust 538
Fund, any trust fund described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of 539
section 7-450 that is administered, held or invested by the State 540
Treasurer and all other trust funds administered, held or invested by the 541
State Treasurer. 542
Sec. 13. (Effective from passage) The State Retirement Commission shall 543
develop a new tier or classification within the municipal employees' 544
retirement system for public safety professionals. Such tier or 545
classification shall (1) take into consideration the tiered classifications of 546
firefighters developed pursuant to section 14 of this act, and (2) permit 547
an individual employed as a firefighter to retire from such position with 548
one participating municipality and accept employment as a firefighter 549
with another participating municipality and be eligible for retirement 550
benefits from such other municipality. The commission may consult 551
with the Commission on Fire Prevention Control, the State Fire 552
Administrator and any other entities deemed appropriate in developing 553
such new tier or classification. Not later than January 1, 2024, the 554
commission shall report to the joint standing committee of the General 555
Assembly having cognizance of matter relating to public safety and 556
security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the 557
general statutes, regarding the terms and benefits that will be applicable 558
to such tier or classification and legislation necessary to implement such 559
tier or classification. 560
Sec. 14. (Effective from passage) (a) The Commission on Fire Prevention 561 Raised Bill No. 6841
LCO No. 5170 19 of 22
and Control shall conduct a study of the different levels of training and 562
certification of firefighters and the benefits available to firefighters and 563
make recommendations regarding benefits to provide incentives to 564
encourage individuals to begin a career in firefighting and encourage 565
firefighters to continue in their careers in firefighting. As part of such 566
study, the commission shall: 567
(1) Develop a tiered classification of firefighters based on various 568
factors the commission deems relevant, which may include, but need 569
not be limited to, a firefighter's certification and level of training, years 570
of experience, responsibilities, including any supervisory, executive, 571
support or administrative responsibilities and status as an employed or 572
volunteer firefighter, and the commission may include one of more 573
classifications for individuals training to become a firefighter; 574
(2) Identify existing benefits available to firefighters, including the 575
volunteer firefighter length of service award program established under 576
section 11 of this act and the retirement tier developed pursuant to 577
section 13 of this act, propose changes to any such benefits and identify 578
new benefits that could encourage recruitment and retention of 579
employed and volunteer firefighters; 580
(3) Consider as a factor for a firefighter's eligibility for any one or 581
more benefits identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection, 582
whether the firefighter (A) adheres to the National Fire Protection 583
Association standard 1582 on comprehensive occupational medical 584
program for fire departments, or any subsequent standard by such 585
association that is applicable to fire departments, and (B) does not use 586
any tobacco products; and 587
(4) Consider whether eligibility for any one or more benefits 588
identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection should be determined 589
based on a firefighter's inclusion in a specific classification tier, as 590
developed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in order to 591
provide incentives that encourage individuals to begin a career in 592
firefighting and encourage firefighters to continue in their careers in 593 Raised Bill No. 6841
LCO No. 5170 20 of 22
firefighting. 594
(b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the commission shall report the 595
results of the study, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 596
of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General 597
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and 598
security. 599
Sec. 15. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) The Commissioner of Public Health 600
shall establish a pilot program to provide emergency services 601
organizations, as defined in section 19a-904 of the general statutes, with 602
(1) equipment capable of identifying individuals at high risk of cardiac 603
arrest, (2) an early detection system capable of identifying individuals 604
who are at low risk of cardiac arrest before such individuals experience 605
critical cardiac issues, or (3) both such equipment and system. Not later 606
than October 1, 2023, the Department of Public Health shall (A) post in 607
a conspicuous place on the department's Internet web site a description 608
of the program, including, but not limited to, eligibility criteria and the 609
application process for such program, and (B) notify each emergency 610
services organization of the opportunity to apply for participation in 611
such program. 612
(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the commissioner shall, in 613
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 614
report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 615
cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security on the result 616
of such pilot program and recommendations as to whether to continue 617
or expand such program. 618
Sec. 16. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of five hundred thousand 619
dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 620
Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal years ending June 621
30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for the purpose of providing funds, in 622
addition to any reimbursement provided pursuant to subsection (b) of 623
section 7-323p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to reduce 624
the cost to trainees and fire departments of attendance at the state fire 625 Raised Bill No. 6841
LCO No. 5170 21 of 22
school. 626
Sec. 17. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of five hundred thousand 627
dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 628
Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal years ending June 629
30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for the purpose of providing funds to reduce 630
the cost to trainees and fire departments of attendance at regional fire 631
schools. 632
Sec. 18. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of seven hundred fifty 633
thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Public Health 634
from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, for the 635
purposes of providing scholarships pursuant to section 5 of this act. 636
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 2 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 3 July 1, 2023 7-323o
Sec. 4 July 1, 2023 7-323p
Sec. 5 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 6 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 7 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 8 July 1, 2023 10a-77(d)
Sec. 9 July 1, 2023 10a-99(d)
Sec. 10 July 1, 2023 10a-105(e)
Sec. 11 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 12 July 1, 2023 3-13c
Sec. 13 from passage New section
Sec. 14 from passage New section
Sec. 15 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 16 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 17 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 18 July 1, 2023 New section
Statement of Purpose:
To enhance recruitment and retention of firefighters. Raised Bill No. 6841
LCO No. 5170 22 of 22
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]