LCO \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-R01-
HB.docx
1 of 22
General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6841
January Session, 2023
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
(6) The executive director of the Technical Education and Career 13
System, or such executive director's designee; 14 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
2 of 22
(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
(4) Coordinate state funding to technical high schools and other high 41 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
3 of 22
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, fire districts and other nonprofit entities 45
that provide or seek to provide cadet or explorer programs; and 46
(7) Expand and implement components of the United States Fire 47
Administration fire service apprenticeship program. 48
(c) In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year 49
thereafter, the board shall pay five thousand dollars to (1) each technical 50
high school or other high school that operates, or plans to operate in the 51
following fiscal year, a program with public safety tracks pursuant to 52
the curriculum developed under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this 53
section, and (2) each fire department, fire district or other nonprofit 54
entity that operates, or plans to operate in the following fiscal year, a 55
cadet or explorer program. 56
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Commissioner of Emergency 57
Services and Public Protection shall appoint a firefighter recruitment 58
and training coordinator in each emergency preparedness region 59
designated by the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland 60
Security within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 61
Protection. Each such coordinator shall (1) recruit individuals for careers 62
in firefighting or manage such recruitment programs, and (2) provide 63
training assistance to fire departments and, upon request of a fire 64
department, coordinate or conduct training programs. 65
Sec. 3. Section 7-323o of the general statutes is repealed and the 66
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 67
(a) There is established the position of State Fire Administrator who 68
shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and 69
Control and appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and 70
Public Protection and who shall: (1) Carry out the requirements of 71 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
4 of 22
section 7-323n; (2) administer federal funds and grants allocated to the 72
fire services of the state; (3) provide technical assistance and guidance 73
to fire fighting forces of any state or municipal agency; (4) develop a 74
centralized information and audiovisual library regarding fire 75
prevention and control; (5) accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire 76
prevention data; (6) recommend specifications of fire service materials 77
and equipment and assist in the purchasing thereof; (7) assist in mutual 78
aid coordination; (8) coordinate fire programs with those of the other 79
states; (9) assist in communications coordination; (10) establish and 80
maintain a fire service information program; and (11) review the 81
purchase of fire apparatus or equipment at state institutions, facilities 82
and properties and, on and after July 1, 1985, coordinate the training and 83
education of fire service personnel at such institutions, facilities and 84
properties. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply 85
to forest fire prevention and control programs administered by the 86
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant to 87
sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive. 88
(b) (1) The State Fire Administrator shall develop, or enter into an 89
agreement with a vendor to develop, facilities across the state that 90
provide opportunities for individuals to train for and take the candidate 91
physical ability test for firefighters throughout the year. The 92
administrator shall seek to develop such facilities at multiple locations 93
that are designed to improve opportunities for, and access to, training 94
and test taking, and shall give a preference to locations at regional fire 95
school sites. The administrator shall provide equipment for such 96
training and test taking at any regional fire school or state facility that 97
offers such training and test taking. 98
(2) The director of fire training within the Office of the State Fire 99
Administrator shall act as coordinator of such training and oversee such 100
training and testing facilities. 101
(c) The Office of the State Fire Administrator shall employ a full-time 102
youth program coordinator, who shall coordinate and oversee technical 103
high school and other high school curriculum and public safety track 104 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
5 of 22
programs developed pursuant to subsection (b) of section 1 of this act, 105
implement state standards and a best practices guide for such programs, 106
ensure the consistency and continuity of such programs and oversee the 107
hiring and training of program instructors. 108
(d) The Office of the State Fire Administrator shall employ a full-time 109
cadet or explorer program coordinator, who shall coordinate and 110
oversee cadet or explorer programs, implement state standards and a 111
best practices guide for such programs, encourage establishment and 112
expansion of such programs throughout the state and encourage the 113
expanded use of regional fire schools for such programs. 114
Sec. 4. Section 7-323p of the general statutes is repealed and the 115
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 116
(a) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 117
shall (1) maintain and operate a state fire school that shall serve as the 118
training and education facility for the Commission on Fire Prevention 119
and Control, [and] (2) provide training and educational services in 120
accordance with the standards established pursuant to section 7-323l, 121
and (3) provide instructors and facilities sufficient to conduct training 122
for at least three classes of recruits at the state fire school each year. The 123
use of any hazardous material, as defined in section 29-307a, except a 124
virgin fuel, is prohibited in the simulation of any fire. The Department 125
of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, in consultation with 126
the commission, fix fees for training and education programs and 127
sessions and for such other purposes deemed necessary for the 128
operation and support of the school. Such fees shall be used solely for 129
training and education purposes. 130
(b) The department may establish and maintain a state fire school 131
training and education extension account, which shall be a separate 132
account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys 133
required by law to be deposited in the account. The account shall be 134
used for the operation of such training and education programs and 135
sessions as said department may establish, for the purchase of such 136 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
6 of 22
equipment as is required for use in the operation of such programs and 137
sessions, and, within available funding, for (1) reimbursement to 138
municipalities and municipal fire departments for one-half of the costs 139
of Firefighter I certification and recruit training of municipal volunteer 140
and paid fire service personnel, and (2) reimbursement to state agencies 141
for one-half of the costs of Firefighter I certification and recruit training 142
of state agency fire service personnel. All proceeds derived from the 143
operation of the training and education programs and sessions shall be 144
deposited in the General Fund and shall be credited to and become a 145
part of the resources of the account. All direct expenses incurred in the 146
conduct of the training, certification and education programs and 147
sessions shall be charged, and any payments of interest and principal of 148
bonds or any sums transferable to any fund for the payment of interest 149
and principal of bonds and any cost of equipment for such operations 150
may be charged, against the account on order of the State Comptroller. 151
Any balance of receipts above expenditures shall remain in the account 152
to be used by the department for training and education programs and 153
sessions, and for the acquisition, as provided by section 4b-21, alteration 154
and repairs of real property for educational facilities, except such sums 155
as may be required to be transferred from time to time to any fund for 156
the redemption of bonds and payment of interest on bonds, provided 157
repairs, alterations or additions to educational facilities costing fifty 158
thousand dollars or less shall require the approval of the Commissioner 159
of Administrative Services, and capital projects costing over fifty 160
thousand dollars shall require the approval of the General Assembly or, 161
when the General Assembly is not in session, of the Finance Advisory 162
Committee. 163
(c) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection may 164
establish and maintain a state fire school auxiliary services account, 165
which shall be a separate account within the General Fund. The account 166
shall be used for the operation, maintenance and repair of auxiliary 167
service facilities and for such other auxiliary activities of the state fire 168
school as said department determines. The proceeds of such activities 169
shall be deposited in the General Fund and shall be credited to and 170 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
7 of 22
become a part of the resources of the account. All direct expenses of 171
operation, maintenance and repair of facilities, food services and other 172
auxiliary activities shall be charged, and any payments of interest and 173
principal of bonds or any sums transferable to any fund for the payment 174
of interest and principal of bonds and any cost of equipment for such 175
operations may be charged, against the account on order of the State 176
Comptroller. Any balance of receipts above expenditures shall remain 177
in the account to be used for the improvement and extension of such 178
activities, except such sums as may be required to be transferred from 179
time to time to any fund for the redemption of bonds and payment of 180
interest on bonds, provided repairs, alterations or additions to auxiliary 181
service facilities costing fifty thousand dollars or less shall require the 182
approval of the Commissioner of Administrative Services, and capital 183
projects costing over fifty thousand dollars shall require the approval of 184
the General Assembly or, when the General Assembly is not in session, 185
of the Finance Advisory Committee. The department, with the approval 186
of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Finance 187
Advisory Committee, may borrow from the resources of the General 188
Fund at any time such sum or sums as it deems advisable, to establish 189
or continue auxiliary services activities, such sums to be repaid in 190
accordance with such schedule as the Secretary of the Office of Policy 191
and Management shall establish. 192
(d) The compensation provided by the department to a fire service 193
instructor to provide fire service training shall be comparable to 194
compensation provided by the Police Officer Standards and Training 195
Council to a law enforcement instructor for police officer training. 196
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) There is established a 197
paramedic candidate scholarship program administered by the 198
Department of Public Health. The program shall provide scholarships 199
to individuals receiving training to become licensed as a paramedic 200
pursuant to section 20-206ll of the general statutes. 201
(b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the department shall develop a 202
policy concerning the administration of the scholarship program. Such 203 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
8 of 22
policy shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions regarding (1) 204
eligibility criteria, and (2) the payment and distribution of the 205
scholarships. 206
(c) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year 207
thereafter, the department shall award scholarships in accordance with 208
the provisions of this section and the policy developed pursuant to 209
subsection (b) of this section. 210
(d) The department may accept gifts, grants and donations from any 211
source, public or private, for the paramedic candidate scholarship 212
program. 213
Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) No fire department shall deny 214
employment as a firefighter to a prospective employee solely on the 215
basis of the prospective employee's status as a noncitizen of the United 216
States, provided such prospective employee is lawfully admitted for 217
permanent residence of the United States under federal law and 218
regulations. 219
Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Connecticut Housing Finance 220
Authority shall develop and administer a program of mortgage 221
assistance to uniformed members of paid or volunteer fire departments 222
in the state. Such assistance shall be available to an eligible firefighter 223
for the purchase of a house as such firefighter's principal residence in 224
the community served by such firefighter. In making mortgage 225
assistance available under the program, the authority shall utilize down 226
payment assistance or any other appropriate housing subsidies. The 227
terms of any mortgage assistance shall allow the mortgagee to realize a 228
reasonable portion of the equity gain upon sale of the mortgaged 229
property. 230
Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 10a-77 of the general statutes is 231
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 232
2023): 233
(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any of 234 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
9 of 22
the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child 235
of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to 236
be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in 237
such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted 238
for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time 239
such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the 240
provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 241
section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 242
section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 243
time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 244
service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such 245
institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 246
accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the 247
state sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular 248
registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number 249
of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to 250
this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to 251
enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating 252
all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State 253
Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said 254
academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical 255
college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active 256
member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has 257
been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's 258
designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled 259
or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time 260
basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any 261
dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or 262
supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in 263
section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 264
employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 265
the line of duty, (7) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child 266
or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of 267
this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was 268
killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 269 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
10 of 22
10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of 270
the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who 271
was killed in action while performing active military duty with the 272
armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and 273
who was a resident of this state, (10) for a uniformed member of a paid 274
or volunteer fire department, who, as documented by the chief of such 275
department, has served as such a member in the state for not less than 276
two years, (11) for any dependent child of a uniformed member of a paid 277
or volunteer fire department, who, as documented by the chief of such 278
department, has served as such a member in the state for not less than 279
five years, and (12) for any student attending the state fire school, who 280
is enrolled in a program at said school offered in coordination with a 281
regional community-technical college that accredits courses taken in 282
such program. If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance 283
with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational 284
reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the 285
amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of 286
the National Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall 287
be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in 288
registering for courses at regional community-technical colleges. 289
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this 290
subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less than one 291
year. 292
Sec. 9. Subsection (d) of section 10a-99 of the general statutes is 293
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 294
2023): 295
(d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees at the 296
Connecticut State University System (1) for any dependent child of a 297
person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be 298
missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such 299
armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for 300
admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time 301
such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the 302 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
11 of 22
provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 303
section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 304
section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 305
time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 306
service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such 307
institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 308
accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the 309
state sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for 310
admission to such institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in 311
a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration 312
period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students 313
other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this 314
subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll 315
and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such 316
students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy 317
who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered 318
in coordination with the university which accredits courses taken in 319
such program, (5) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or 320
Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General 321
or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of 322
the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such 323
institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or 324
graduate degree-granting program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) 325
police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or 326
auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or 327
member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) 328
state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) 329
for any resident of this state who is a dependent child or surviving 330
spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (8) 331
for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a 332
multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and 333
Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of the state 334
who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was 335
killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed 336
forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was 337 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
12 of 22
a resident of this state, (10) for a uniformed member of a paid or 338
volunteer fire department, who, as documented by the chief of such 339
department, has served as such a member in the state for not less than 340
two years, (11) for any dependent child of a uniformed member of a paid 341
or volunteer fire department, who, as documented by the chief of such 342
department, has served as such a member in the state for not less than 343
five years, and (12) for any student attending the state fire school, who 344
is enrolled in a program at said school offered in coordination with the 345
university that accredits courses taken in such program. If any person 346
who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this 347
subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, 348
such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational 349
reimbursement. Veterans and members of t he National Guard 350
described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the same 351
status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses 352
at Connecticut state universities. Notwithstanding the provisions of 353
section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" 354
includes domicile for less than one year. 355
Sec. 10. Subsection (e) of section 10a-105 of the general statutes is 356
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 357
2023): 358
(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees at 359
The University of Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person 360
whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing 361
in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed 362
forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission 363
to The University of Connecticut and is a resident of the state at the time 364
such child is accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the 365
provisions of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 366
section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 367
section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 368
time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 369
service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to said 370 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
13 of 22
institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 371
accepted for admission to said institution, (3) for any resident of the state 372
sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to 373
said institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-374
granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, 375
there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other 376
than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to 377
offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is 378
space available in such course after accommodating all such students, 379
(4) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National 380
Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such 381
Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, 382
and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to said institution on a full-383
time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-384
granting program, (5) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as 385
defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, 386
(B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire 387
company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in 388
section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state 389
who is the dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist 390
victim who was a resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a 391
resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the 392
intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, 393
[and] (8) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or 394
surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing 395
active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or 396
after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (9) for a 397
uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire department, who, as 398
documented by the chief of such department, has served as such a 399
member in the state for not less than two years, and (10) for any 400
dependent child of a uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire 401
department, who, as documented by the chief of such department, has 402
served as such a member in the state for not less than five years. If any 403
person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions 404
of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an 405 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
14 of 22
employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such 406
educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National 407
Guard described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be given the 408
same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for 409
courses at The University of Connecticut. Notwithstanding the 410
provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in 411
this state" includes domicile for less than one year. 412
Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) As used in this section: 413
(1) "Accrued service award" means the total value, as of a given date, 414
of a participant's program account. 415
(2) "Bona fide volunteer" has the same meaning as in Section 457(e) of 416
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding 417
internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to 418
time. 419
(3) "Commission" means the State Retirement Commission. 420
(4) "Eligible firefighter" means a firefighter who (A) is a bona fide 421
volunteer performing qualified services in a volunteer fire company or 422
department, and (B) is not otherwise earning credit for such qualified 423
service as a participant in any other length of service award program, 424
pension system operating pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision 425
(5) of subsection (c) of section 7-148 of the general statutes or any other 426
comparable program. 427
(5) "Participant" means an eligible firefighter who participates in the 428
program. 429
(6) "Program account" means a separate account maintained for each 430
participant reflecting applicable contributions, applicable forfeitures, 431
investment income or loss and administrative and investment expenses 432
allocated to each participant and paid from the Volunteer Firefighter 433
Length of Service Award Program Trust Fund, established under 434
subsection (c) of this section. 435 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
15 of 22
(7) "Qualified service" has the same meaning as provided in Section 436
457(e)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 437
corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 438
from time to time. 439
(b) The State Retirement Commission, in consultation with the 440
Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the State Fire 441
Administrator, shall establish a volunteer firefighter length of service 442
award program. The State Retirement Commission may contract with 443
third parties to provide services for such program. 444
(c) There is established a Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service 445
Award Program Trust Fund. The fund shall contain any moneys 446
required or permitted by law to be deposited in the fund and may apply 447
for and accept gifts, grants or donations from public or private sources 448
to enable the trust fund to carry out its objectives. Investment earnings 449
credited to the assets of the fund shall become part of the assets of the 450
fund. The fund shall be held in trust separate and apart from all other 451
moneys, funds and accounts. Any balance remaining in the fund at the 452
end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the fiscal 453
year next succeeding. The fund shall be used to make payments as 454
provided in this section and for administrative expenses related to the 455
provisions of this section. 456
(d) Not later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each 457
volunteer fire company or department shall submit to the commission a 458
list of eligible firefighters and the amount of service credit each such 459
firefighter has earned with such department, on a form and in a manner 460
as determined by the commission. 461
(e) (1) Not later than April 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the 462
commission shall determine which eligible firefighters satisfy the 463
service credit requirements established pursuant to regulations adopted 464
in accordance with subsection (k) of this section to be participants in the 465
program, and the amount of credits applicable to each such participant. 466 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
16 of 22
(2) An eligible firefighter may decline to become a participant in the 467
program if such firefighter files with the commission, prior to such 468
firefighter satisfying such service credit requirements to become a 469
participant in the program, an irrevocable waiver of participation that 470
is signed by the eligible firefighter and the chief of the volunteer fire 471
company or department of which such firefighter is a member. 472
(3) A participant shall receive service credit for service as an eligible 473
firefighter before, on and after the effective date of this section. Service 474
credit earned by a participant shall never be forfeited. 475
(f) Not later than July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the 476
commission shall credit a length of service award, in an amount 477
determined by the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (k) of this 478
section, to the program account of each participant who the commission 479
determines qualifies for a length of service award pursuant to the 480
service credit requirements established by such regulations. No such 481
award may exceed the limit provided in Section 457(e)(11) of the 482
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding 483
internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to 484
time. 485
(g) (1) A participant's accrued service award becomes vested once 486
such participant has five years of service credit, as determined pursuant 487
to regulations adopted under subsection (k) of this section. 488
(2) If a participant has not been an eligible firefighter for thirty-six 489
consecutive months and such participant's accrued service award has 490
not become vested, such accrued service award shall be forfeited and 491
deposited in the Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award 492
Program Trust Fund. 493
(h) The commission shall pay each participant such participant's 494
accrued service award when the participant: 495
(1) Becomes vested pursuant to subsection (g) of this section and has 496
attained the age of sixty-five years or over; 497 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
17 of 22
(2) Has twenty years of service credit, provided the participant may, 498
prior to attaining such twenty years of service credit, file a written 499
election with the commission to defer payment of the accrued service 500
award until the participant attains the age of sixty-five; 501
(3) Is vested and has not been an eligible firefighter for at least thirty-502
six consecutive months; or 503
(4) Has been determined to be totally and permanently disabled by 504
the United States Social Security Administration, the Workers' 505
Compensation Commission or any other entity approved by the State 506
Retirement Commission. 507
(i) If a participant is paid such participant's accrued service award 508
pursuant to subsection (h) of this section and subsequently qualifies for 509
a length of service award at any other time pursuant to the provisions 510
of this section and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (k) of this 511
section, the commission shall pay such service award directly to such 512
participant. 513
(j) If a participant dies prior to receiving such participant's accrued 514
service award pursuant to subsection (h) of this section or a length of 515
service award pursuant to subsection (i) of this section, the commission 516
shall pay such award to any beneficiary the participant has designated 517
on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commission. 518
(k) Not later than January 1, 2024, the State Retirement Commission, 519
in consultation with the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control 520
and the State Fire Administrator, shall adopt regulations, in accordance 521
with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement 522
the volunteer firefighter length of service award program. Such 523
regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions 524
regarding (1) earning service credits and determining the amount of 525
awards, which may include a point-based system that requires earning 526
points for responding to calls, attending meetings and trainings or other 527
factors, (2) documentation for earning such credits, including a system 528 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
18 of 22
to permit volunteer fire companies and departments to comply with the 529
requirements of subsection (d) of this section, and (3) contesting 530
determinations of service credits awarded to a participant. 531
Sec. 12. Section 3-13c of the general statutes is repealed and the 532
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 533
Trust funds as used in sections 3-13 to 3-13e, inclusive, and 3-31b shall 534
be construed to include Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement 535
Fund A, Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B, 536
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund, Family and Medical Leave 537
Insurance Trust Fund, State's Attorneys' Retirement Fund, Teachers' 538
Annuity Fund, Teachers' Pension Fund, Teachers' Survivorship and 539
Dependency Fund, School Fund, State Employees Retirement Fund, the 540
Hospital Insurance Fund, Policemen and Firemen Survivor's Benefit 541
Fund, Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award Program Trust 542
Fund, any trust fund described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of 543
section 7-450 that is administered, held or invested by the State 544
Treasurer and all other trust funds administered, held or invested by the 545
State Treasurer. 546
Sec. 13. (Effective from passage) The State Retirement Commission shall 547
develop a new tier or classification within the municipal employees' 548
retirement system for public safety professionals. Such tier or 549
classification shall (1) take into consideration the tiered classifications of 550
firefighters developed pursuant to section 14 of this act, and (2) permit 551
an individual employed as a firefighter to retire from such position with 552
one participating municipality and accept employment as a firefighter 553
with another participating municipality and be eligible for retirement 554
benefits from such other municipality. The commission may consult 555
with the Commission on Fire Prevention Control, the State Fire 556
Administrator and any other entities deemed appropriate in developing 557
such new tier or classification. Not later than January 1, 2024, the 558
commission shall report to the joint standing committee of the General 559
Assembly having cognizance of matter relating to public safety and 560
security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the 561 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
19 of 22
general statutes, regarding the terms and benefits that will be applicable 562
to such tier or classification and legislation necessary to implement such 563
tier or classification. 564
Sec. 14. (Effective from passage) (a) The Commission on Fire Prevention 565
and Control shall conduct a study of the different levels of training and 566
certification of firefighters and the benefits available to firefighters and 567
make recommendations regarding benefits to provide incentives to 568
encourage individuals to begin a career in firefighting and encourage 569
firefighters to continue in their careers in firefighting. As part of such 570
study, the commission shall: 571
(1) Develop a tiered classification of firefighters based on various 572
factors the commission deems relevant, which may include, but need 573
not be limited to, a firefighter's certification and level of training, years 574
of experience, responsibilities, including any supervisory, executive, 575
support or administrative responsibilities and status as an employed or 576
volunteer firefighter, and the commission may include one of more 577
classifications for individuals training to become a firefighter; 578
(2) Identify existing benefits available to firefighters, including the 579
volunteer firefighter length of service award program established under 580
section 11 of this act and the retirement tier developed pursuant to 581
section 13 of this act, propose changes to any such benefits and identify 582
new benefits that could encourage recruitment and retention of 583
employed and volunteer firefighters; 584
(3) Consider as a factor for a firefighter's eligibility for any one or 585
more benefits identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection, 586
whether the firefighter (A) adheres to standard 1582 of the National Fire 587
Protection Association on comprehensive occupational medical 588
program for fire departments, or any subsequent standard by such 589
association that is applicable to fire departments, and (B) does not use 590
any tobacco products; and 591
(4) Consider whether eligibility for any one or more benefits 592 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
20 of 22
identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection should be determined 593
based on a firefighter's inclusion in a specific classification tier, as 594
developed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in order to 595
provide incentives that encourage individuals to begin a career in 596
firefighting and encourage firefighters to continue in their careers in 597
firefighting. 598
(b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the commission shall report the 599
results of the study, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 600
of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General 601
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and 602
security. 603
Sec. 15. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) The Department of Public Health 604
shall establish a pilot program to provide emergency services 605
organizations, as defined in section 19a-904 of the general statutes, with 606
(1) equipment capable of identifying individuals at high risk of cardiac 607
arrest, (2) an early detection system capable of identifying individuals 608
who are at low risk of cardiac arrest before such individuals experience 609
critical cardiac issues, or (3) both such equipment and system. Not later 610
than October 1, 2023, the department shall (A) post in a conspicuous 611
place on the department's Internet web site a description of the program, 612
including, but not limited to, eligibility criteria and the application 613
process for such program, and (B) notify each emergency services 614
organization of the opportunity to apply for participation in such 615
program. 616
(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the commissioner shall, in 617
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 618
report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 619
cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security on the result 620
of such pilot program and recommendations as to whether to continue 621
or expand such program. 622
Sec. 16. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of five hundred thousand 623
dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 624 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
21 of 22
Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal years ending June 625
30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for the purpose of providing funds, in 626
addition to any reimbursement provided pursuant to subsection (b) of 627
section 7-323p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to reduce 628
the cost to trainees and fire departments of attendance at the state fire 629
school. 630
Sec. 17. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of five hundred thousand 631
dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 632
Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal years ending June 633
30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for the purpose of providing funds to reduce 634
the cost to trainees and fire departments of attendance at regional fire 635
schools. 636
Sec. 18. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of seven hundred fifty 637
thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Public Health 638
from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, for the 639
purposes of providing scholarships pursuant to section 5 of this act. 640
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 Substitute Bill No. 6841
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06841-
R01-HB.docx }
22 of 22
Sec. 17 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 18 July 1, 2023 New section
Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 3(b)(1), "for individuals" was inserted for clarity; in Section
3(c), "developed pursuant to subsection (b) of section 1 of this act" was
inserted for clarity; in Section 4(d), "pay" was changed to
"compensation" for internal consistency; in Section 11(e)(1), "and
annually thereafter," was inserted for internal consistency; in Section
11(h), subdivisions were rewritten for clarity; in Section 11(i) "service
award" was changed to "length of service award" and "pursuant to the
provisions of this section and regulations adopted pursuant to
subsection (k) of this section" was inserted for clarity; in Section 11(j)
"service award" was changed to "length of service award" for clarity; in
Section 14(a)(3)(A), "National Fire Protection Association standard
1582" was changed to "standard 1582 of the National Fire Protection
Association" for consistency with standard drafting conventions; and in
Section 15, "Commissioner" was changed to "Department" and
"Department of Public Health" was changed to "department" for internal
consistency.
PS Joint Favorable Subst.