Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06841 Compare Versions

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7	7		General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6841
8	8		January Session, 2023
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14	14		AN ACT CONCERNING FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT AND
15	15		RETENTION.
16	16		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
17	17		Assembly convened:
18	18
19	19		Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Commissioner of 1
20	20		Emergency Services and Public Protection shall appoint a firefighter 2
21	21		recruitment and training coordinator in each emergency preparedness 3
22	22		region designated by the Division of Emergency Management and 4
23	23		Homeland Security within the Department of Emergency Services and 5
24	24		Public Protection. Each such coordinator shall (1) recruit individuals 6
25	25		for careers in firefighting or manage such recruitment programs, and 7
26	26		(2) provide training assistance to fire departments and, upon request of 8
27	27		a fire department, coordinate or conduct training programs. 9
28	28		Sec. 2. Section 7-323o of the general statutes is repealed and the 10
29	29		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 11
30	30		(a) There is established the position of State Fire Administrator who 12
31	31		shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and 13
32	32		Control and appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services 14
33	33		and Public Protection and who shall: (1) Carry out the requirements of 15
34	34		section 7-323n; (2) administer federal funds and grants allocated to the 16
35	35		fire services of the state; (3) provide technical assistance and guidance 17
36	36		to fire fighting forces of any state or municipal agency; (4) develop a 18 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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43	43		centralized information and audiovisual library regarding fire 19
44	44		prevention and control; (5) accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire 20
45	45		prevention data; (6) recommend specifications of fire service materials 21
46	46		and equipment and assist in the purchasing thereof; (7) assist in 22
47	47		mutual aid coordination; (8) coordinate fire programs with those of the 23
48	48		other states; (9) assist in communications coordination; (10) establish 24
49	49		and maintain a fire service information program; and (11) review the 25
50	50		purchase of fire apparatus or equipment at state institutions, facilities 26
51	51		and properties and, on and after July 1, 1985, coordinate the training 27
52	52		and education of fire service personnel at such institutions, facilities 28
53	53		and properties. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to 29
54	54		apply to forest fire prevention and control programs administered by 30
55	55		the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant 31
56	56		to sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive. 32
57	57		(b) (1) The State Fire Administrator shall develop, or enter into an 33
58	58		agreement with a vendor to develop, facilities across the state that 34
59	59		provide opportunities for individuals to train for and take the 35
60	60		candidate physical ability test for firefighters throughout the year. The 36
61	61		administrator shall seek to develop such facilities at multiple locations 37
62	62		that are designed to improve opportunities for, and access to, training 38
63	63		and test taking, and shall give a preference to locations at regional fire 39
64	64		school sites. The administrator shall provide equipment for such 40
65	65		training and test taking at any regional fire school or state facility that 41
66	66		offers such training and test taking. 42
67	67		(2) The director of fire training within the Office of the State Fire 43
68	68		Administrator shall act as coordinator of such training and oversee 44
69	69		such training and testing facilities. 45
70	70		(c) The Office of the State Fire Administrator shall employ a full-46
71	71		time cadet or explorer program coordinator, who shall coordinate and 47
72	72		oversee cadet or explorer programs, implement state standards and a 48
73	73		best practices guide for such programs, encourage establishment and 49
74	74		expansion of such programs throughout the state and encourage the 50
75	75		expanded use of regional fire schools for such programs. 51 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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82	82		Sec. 3. Section 7-323p of the general statutes is repealed and the 52
83	83		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 53
84	84		(a) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 54
85	85		shall (1) maintain and operate a state fire school that shall serve as the 55
86	86		training and education facility for the Commission on Fire Prevention 56
87	87		and Control, [and] (2) provide training and educational services in 57
88	88		accordance with the standards established pursuant to section 7-323l, 58
89	89		and (3) provide instructors and facilities sufficient to conduct training 59
90	90		for at least three classes of recruits at the state fire school each year. 60
91	91		The use of any hazardous material, as defined in section 29-307a, 61
92	92		except a virgin fuel, is prohibited in the simulation of any fire. The 62
93	93		Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, in 63
94	94		consultation with the commission, fix fees for training and education 64
95	95		programs and sessions and for such other purposes deemed necessary 65
96	96		for the operation and support of the school. Such fees shall be used 66
97	97		solely for training and education purposes. 67
98	98		(b) The department may establish and maintain a state fire school 68
99	99		training and education extension account, which shall be a separate 69
100	100		account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any 70
101	101		moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. The account 71
102	102		shall be used for the operation of such training and education 72
103	103		programs and sessions as said department may establish, for the 73
104	104		purchase of such equipment as is required for use in the operation of 74
105	105		such programs and sessions, and, within available funding, for (1) 75
106	106		reimbursement to municipalities and municipal fire departments for 76
107	107		one-half of the costs of Firefighter I certification and recruit training of 77
108	108		municipal volunteer and paid fire service personnel, and (2) 78
109	109		reimbursement to state agencies for one-half of the costs of Firefighter I 79
110	110		certification and recruit training of state agency fire service personnel. 80
111	111		All proceeds derived from the operation of the training and education 81
112	112		programs and sessions shall be deposited in the General Fund and 82
113	113		shall be credited to and become a part of the resources of the account. 83
114	114		All direct expenses incurred in the conduct of the training, certification 84 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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121	121		and education programs and sessions shall be charged, and any 85
122	122		payments of interest and principal of bonds or any sums transferable 86
123	123		to any fund for the payment of interest and principal of bonds and any 87
124	124		cost of equipment for such operations may be charged, against the 88
125	125		account on order of the State Comptroller. Any balance of receipts 89
126	126		above expenditures shall remain in the account to be used by the 90
127	127		department for training and education programs and sessions, and for 91
128	128		the acquisition, as provided by section 4b-21, alteration and repairs of 92
129	129		real property for educational facilities, except such sums as may be 93
130	130		required to be transferred from time to time to any fund for the 94
131	131		redemption of bonds and payment of interest on bonds, provided 95
132	132		repairs, alterations or additions to educational facilities costing fifty 96
133	133		thousand dollars or less shall require the approval of the 97
134	134		Commissioner of Administrative Services, and capital projects costing 98
135	135		over fifty thousand dollars shall require the approval of the General 99
136	136		Assembly or, when the General Assembly is not in session, of the 100
137	137		Finance Advisory Committee. 101
138	138		(c) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 102
139	139		may establish and maintain a state fire school auxiliary services 103
140	140		account, which shall be a separate account within the General Fund. 104
141	141		The account shall be used for the operation, maintenance and repair of 105
142	142		auxiliary service facilities and for such other auxiliary activities of the 106
143	143		state fire school as said department determines. The proceeds of such 107
144	144		activities shall be deposited in the General Fund and shall be credited 108
145	145		to and become a part of the resources of the account. All direct 109
146	146		expenses of operation, maintenance and repair of facilities, food 110
147	147		services and other auxiliary activities shall be charged, and any 111
148	148		payments of interest and principal of bonds or any sums transferable 112
149	149		to any fund for the payment of interest and principal of bonds and any 113
150	150		cost of equipment for such operations may be charged, against the 114
151	151		account on order of the State Comptroller. Any balance of receipts 115
152	152		above expenditures shall remain in the account to be used for the 116
153	153		improvement and extension of such activities, except such sums as 117
154	154		may be required to be transferred from time to time to any fund for the 118 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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161	161		redemption of bonds and payment of interest on bonds, provided 119
162	162		repairs, alterations or additions to auxiliary service facilities costing 120
163	163		fifty thousand dollars or less shall require the approval of the 121
164	164		Commissioner of Administrative Services, and capital projects costing 122
165	165		over fifty thousand dollars shall require the approval of the General 123
166	166		Assembly or, when the General Assembly is not in session, of the 124
167	167		Finance Advisory Committee. The department, with the approval of 125
168	168		the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Finance 126
169	169		Advisory Committee, may borrow from the resources of the General 127
170	170		Fund at any time such sum or sums as it deems advisable, to establish 128
171	171		or continue auxiliary services activities, such sums to be repaid in 129
172	172		accordance with such schedule as the Secretary of the Office of Policy 130
173	173		and Management shall establish. 131
174	174		(d) The compensation provided by the department to a fire service 132
175	175		instructor to provide fire service training shall be comparable to 133
176	176		compensation provided by the Police Officer Standards and Training 134
177	177		Council to a law enforcement instructor for police officer training. 135
178	178		Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) There is established a 136
179	179		paramedic candidate scholarship program administered by the 137
180	180		Department of Public Health. The program shall provide scholarships 138
181	181		to individuals receiving training to become licensed as a paramedic 139
182	182		pursuant to section 20-206ll of the general statutes. 140
183	183		(b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the department shall develop a 141
184	184		policy concerning the administration of the scholarship program. Such 142
185	185		policy shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions regarding 143
186	186		(1) eligibility criteria, and (2) the payment and distribution of the 144
187	187		scholarships. 145
188	188		(c) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year 146
189	189		thereafter, the department shall award scholarships in accordance with 147
190	190		the provisions of this section and the policy developed pursuant to 148
191	191		subsection (b) of this section. 149 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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198	198		(d) The department may accept gifts, grants and donations from any 150
199	199		source, public or private, for the paramedic candidate scholarship 151
200	200		program. 152
201	201		Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) No fire department shall deny 153
202	202		employment as a firefighter to a prospective employee solely on the 154
203	203		basis of the prospective employee's status as a noncitizen of the United 155
204	204		States, provided such prospective employee is lawfully admitted for 156
205	205		permanent residence of the United States under federal law and 157
206	206		regulations. 158
207	207		Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Connecticut Housing 159
208	208		Finance Authority shall develop and administer a program of 160
209	209		mortgage assistance to uniformed members of paid or volunteer fire 161
210	210		departments in the state. Such assistance shall be available to an 162
211	211		eligible firefighter for the purchase of a house as such firefighter's 163
212	212		principal residence in the community served by such firefighter. In 164
213	213		making mortgage assistance available under the program, the 165
214	214		authority shall utilize down payment assistance or any other 166
215	215		appropriate housing subsidies. The terms of any mortgage assistance 167
216	216		shall allow the mortgagee to realize a reasonable portion of the equity 168
217	217		gain upon sale of the mortgaged property. 169
218	218		Sec. 7. Subsection (d) of section 10a-77 of the general statutes is 170
219	219		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 171
220	220		1, 2023): 172
221	221		(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any 173
222	222		of the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent 174
223	223		child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has 175
224	224		declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war 176
225	225		while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child 177
226	226		has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of 178
227	227		the state at the time such child is accepted for admission to such 179
228	228		institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, 180
229	229		for any veteran, as defined in section 27-103, who performed service in 181 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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236	236		time of war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of 182
237	237		this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in 183
238	238		attendance at a military service academy, which veteran has been 184
239	239		accepted for admission to such institution and is domiciled in this state 185
240	240		at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, 186
241	241		(3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older, 187
242	242		provided, at the end of the regular registration period, there are 188
243	243		enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those 189
244	244		residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the 190
245	245		course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space 191
246	246		available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for 192
247	247		any student attending the Connecticut State Police Academy who is 193
248	248		enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in 194
249	249		coordination with a regional community-technical college which 195
250	250		accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active member of 196
251	251		the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been 197
252	252		certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee 198
253	253		as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or 199
254	254		accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time 200
255	255		basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any 201
256	256		dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or 202
257	257		supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in 203
258	258		section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 204
259	259		employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 205
260	260		the line of duty, (7) for any resident of the state who is a dependent 206
261	261		child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a 207
262	262		resident of this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the 208
263	263		state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection 209
264	264		of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) 210
265	265		for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving 211
266	266		spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active 212
267	267		military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after 213
268	268		September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (10) for a 214
269	269		uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire department, who, as 215
270	270		documented by the chief of such department, has served as such a 216 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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277	277		member in the state for not less than two years, (11) for any dependent 217
278	278		child of a uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire department, 218
279	279		who, as documented by the chief of such department, has served as 219
280	280		such a member in the state for not less than five years, and (12) for any 220
281	281		student attending the state fire school, who is enrolled in a program at 221
282	282		said school offered in coordination with a regional community-222
283	283		technical college that accredits courses taken in such program. If any 223
284	284		person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions 224
285	285		of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an 225
286	286		employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such 226
287	287		educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National 227
288	288		Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the 228
289	289		same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for 229
290	290		courses at regional community-technical colleges. Notwithstanding the 230
291	291		provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in 231
292	292		this state" includes domicile for less than one year. 232
293	293		Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 10a-99 of the general statutes is 233
294	294		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 234
295	295		1, 2023): 235
296	296		(d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees at the 236
297	297		Connecticut State University System (1) for any dependent child of a 237
298	298		person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be 238
299	299		missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in 239
300	300		such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted 240
301	301		for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the 241
302	302		time such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject 242
303	303		to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as 243
304	304		defined in section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as 244
305	305		defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, 245
306	306		"service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a 246
307	307		military service academy, which veteran has been accepted for 247
308	308		admission to such institution and is domiciled in this state at the time 248
309	309		such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any 249 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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316	316		resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older who has been 250
317	317		accepted for admission to such institution, provided (A) such resident 251
318	318		is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the 252
319	319		regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient 253
320	320		number of students other than those residents eligible for waivers 254
321	321		pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident 255
322	322		intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after 256
323	323		accommodating all such students, (4) for any student attending the 257
324	324		Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement 258
325	325		program at said academy offered in coordination with the university 259
326	326		which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active 260
327	327		member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has 261
328	328		been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's 262
329	329		designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is 263
330	330		enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or 264
331	331		part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting 265
332	332		program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined 266
333	333		in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) 267
334	334		firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire 268
335	335		company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in 269
336	336		section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state 270
337	337		who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist 271
338	338		victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a 272
339	339		resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near 273
340	340		the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 274
341	341		2005, [and] (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or 275
342	342		surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while 276
343	343		performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United 277
344	344		States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this 278
345	345		state, (10) for a uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire 279
346	346		department, who, as documented by the chief of such department, has 280
347	347		served as such a member in the state for not less than two years, (11) 281
348	348		for any dependent child of a uniformed member of a paid or volunteer 282
349	349		fire department, who, as documented by the chief of such department, 283
350	350		has served as such a member in the state for not less than five years, 284 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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357	357		and (12) for any student attending the state fire school, who is enrolled 285
358	358		in a program at said school offered in coordination with the university 286
359	359		that accredits courses taken in such program. If any person who 287
360	360		receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this 288
361	361		subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, 289
362	362		such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational 290
363	363		reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National Guard 291
364	364		described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the same 292
365	365		status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for 293
366	366		courses at Connecticut state universities. Notwithstanding the 294
367	367		provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in 295
368	368		this state" includes domicile for less than one year. 296
369	369		Sec. 9. Subsection (e) of section 10a-105 of the general statutes is 297
370	370		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 298
371	371		1, 2023): 299
372	372		(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees at 300
373	373		The University of Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person 301
374	374		whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing 302
375	375		in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed 303
376	376		forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for 304
377	377		admission to The University of Connecticut and is a resident of the 305
378	378		state at the time such child is accepted for admission to said institution, 306
379	379		(2) subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, for any 307
380	380		veteran, as defined in section 27-103, who performed service in time of 308
381	381		war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this 309
382	382		subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in 310
383	383		attendance at a military service academy, which veteran has been 311
384	384		accepted for admission to said institution and is domiciled in this state 312
385	385		at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to said institution, 313
386	386		(3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older who has 314
387	387		been accepted for admission to said institution, provided (A) such 315
388	388		resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of 316
389	389		the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a 317 Substitute Bill No. 6841
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396	396		sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible for 318
397	397		waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such 319
398	398		resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such course 320
399	399		after accommodating all such students, (4) for any active member of 321
400	400		the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been 322
401	401		certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee 323
402	402		as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or 324
403	403		accepted for admission to said institution on a full-time or part-time 325
404	404		basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (5) 326
405	405		for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-327
406	406		294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as 328
407	407		defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) 329
408	408		municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, 330
409	409		killed in the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state who is the 331
410	410		dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who 332
411	411		was a resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a resident of 333
412	412		the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the 334
413	413		intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 335
414	414		2005, [and] (8) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or 336
415	415		surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while 337
416	416		performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United 338
417	417		States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this 339
418	418		state, (9) for a uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire 340
419	419		department, who, as documented by the chief of such department, has 341
420	420		served as such a member in the state for not less than two years, and 342
421	421		(10) for any dependent child of a uniformed member of a paid or 343
422	422		volunteer fire department, who, as documented by the chief of such 344
423	423		department, has served as such a member in the state for not less than 345
424	424		five years. If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance 346
425	425		with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational 347
426	426		reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the 348
427	427		amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of 349
428	428		the National Guard described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall 350
429	429		be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in 351
430	430		registering for courses at The University of Connecticut. 352 Substitute Bill No. 6841
431	431
432	432
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436	436
437	437		Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this 353
438	438		subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less than one 354
439	439		year. 355
440	440		Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) As used in this section: 356
441	441		(1) "Accrued service award" means the total value, as of a given 357
442	442		date, of a participant's program account. 358
443	443		(2) "Bona fide volunteer" has the same meaning as in Section 457(e) 359
444	444		of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 360
445	445		corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 361
446	446		from time to time. 362
447	447		(3) "Commission" means the State Retirement Commission. 363
448	448		(4) "Eligible firefighter" means a firefighter who (A) is a bona fide 364
449	449		volunteer performing qualified services in a volunteer fire company or 365
450	450		department, and (B) is not otherwise earning credit for such qualified 366
451	451		service as a participant in any other length of service award program, 367
452	452		pension system operating pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision 368
453	453		(5) of subsection (c) of section 7-148 of the general statutes or any other 369
454	454		comparable program. 370
455	455		(5) "Participant" means an eligible firefighter who participates in the 371
456	456		program. 372
457	457		(6) "Program account" means a separate account maintained for 373
458	458		each participant reflecting applicable contributions, applicable 374
459	459		forfeitures, investment income or loss and administrative and 375
460	460		investment expenses allocated to each participant and paid from the 376
461	461		Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award Program Trust Fund, 377
462	462		established under subsection (c) of this section. 378
463	463		(7) "Qualified service" has the same meaning as provided in Section 379
464	464		457(e)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 380
465	465		corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 381 Substitute Bill No. 6841
466	466
467	467
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471	471
472	472		from time to time. 382
473	473		(b) The State Retirement Commission, in consultation with the 383
474	474		Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the State Fire 384
475	475		Administrator, shall establish a volunteer firefighter length of service 385
476	476		award program. The State Retirement Commission may contract with 386
477	477		third parties to provide services for such program. 387
478	478		(c) There is established a Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service 388
479	479		Award Program Trust Fund. The fund shall contain any moneys 389
480	480		required or permitted by law to be deposited in the fund and may 390
481	481		apply for and accept gifts, grants or donations from public or private 391
482	482		sources to enable the trust fund to carry out its objectives. Investment 392
483	483		earnings credited to the assets of the fund shall become part of the 393
484	484		assets of the fund. The fund shall be held in trust separate and apart 394
485	485		from all other moneys, funds and accounts. Any balance remaining in 395
486	486		the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the 396
487	487		fund for the fiscal year next succeeding. The fund shall be used to 397
488	488		make payments as provided in this section and for administrative 398
489	489		expenses related to the provisions of this section. 399
490	490		(d) Not later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each 400
491	491		volunteer fire company or department shall submit to the commission 401
492	492		a list of eligible firefighters and the amount of service credit each such 402
493	493		firefighter has earned with such department, on a form and in a 403
494	494		manner as determined by the commission. 404
495	495		(e) (1) Not later than April 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the 405
496	496		commission shall determine which eligible firefighters satisfy the 406
497	497		service credit requirements established pursuant to regulations 407
498	498		adopted in accordance with subsection (k) of this section to be 408
499	499		participants in the program, and the amount of credits applicable to 409
500	500		each such participant. 410
501	501		(2) An eligible firefighter may decline to become a participant in the 411
502	502		program if such firefighter files with the commission, prior to such 412 Substitute Bill No. 6841
503	503
504	504
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508	508
509	509		firefighter satisfying such service credit requirements to become a 413
510	510		participant in the program, an irrevocable waiver of participation that 414
511	511		is signed by the eligible firefighter and the chief of the volunteer fire 415
512	512		company or department of which such firefighter is a member. 416
513	513		(3) A participant shall receive service credit for service as an eligible 417
514	514		firefighter before, on and after the effective date of this section. Service 418
515	515		credit earned by a participant shall never be forfeited. 419
516	516		(f) Not later than July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the 420
517	517		commission shall credit a length of service award, in an amount 421
518	518		determined by the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (k) of 422
519	519		this section, to the program account of each participant who the 423
520	520		commission determines qualifies for a length of service award 424
521	521		pursuant to the service credit requirements established by such 425
522	522		regulations. No such award may exceed the limit provided in Section 426
523	523		457(e)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 427
524	524		corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 428
525	525		from time to time. 429
526	526		(g) (1) A participant's accrued service award becomes vested once 430
527	527		such participant has five years of service credit, as determined 431
528	528		pursuant to regulations adopted under subsection (k) of this section. 432
529	529		(2) If a participant has not been an eligible firefighter for thirty-six 433
530	530		consecutive months and such participant's accrued service award has 434
531	531		not become vested, such accrued service award shall be forfeited and 435
532	532		deposited in the Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award 436
533	533		Program Trust Fund. 437
534	534		(h) The commission shall pay each participant such participant's 438
535	535		accrued service award when the participant: 439
536	536		(1) Becomes vested pursuant to subsection (g) of this section and has 440
537	537		attained the age of sixty-five years or over; 441
538	538		(2) Has twenty years of service credit, provided the participant may, 442 Substitute Bill No. 6841
539	539
540	540
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544	544
545	545		prior to attaining such twenty years of service credit, file a written 443
546	546		election with the commission to defer payment of the accrued service 444
547	547		award until the participant attains the age of sixty-five; 445
548	548		(3) Is vested and has not been an eligible firefighter for at least 446
549	549		thirty-six consecutive months; or 447
550	550		(4) Has been determined to be totally and permanently disabled by 448
551	551		the United States Social Security Administration, the Workers' 449
552	552		Compensation Commission or any other entity approved by the State 450
553	553		Retirement Commission. 451
554	554		(i) If a participant is paid such participant's accrued service award 452
555	555		pursuant to subsection (h) of this section and subsequently qualifies 453
556	556		for a length of service award at any other time pursuant to the 454
557	557		provisions of this section and regulations adopted pursuant to 455
558	558		subsection (k) of this section, the commission shall pay such service 456
559	559		award directly to such participant. 457
560	560		(j) If a participant dies prior to receiving such participant's accrued 458
561	561		service award pursuant to subsection (h) of this section or a length of 459
562	562		service award pursuant to subsection (i) of this section, the commission 460
563	563		shall pay such award to any beneficiary the participant has designated 461
564	564		on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commission. 462
565	565		(k) Not later than January 1, 2024, the State Retirement Commission, 463
566	566		in consultation with the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control 464
567	567		and the State Fire Administrator, shall adopt regulations, in 465
568	568		accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to 466
569	569		implement the volunteer firefighter length of service award program. 467
570	570		Such regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions 468
571	571		regarding (1) earning service credits and determining the amount of 469
572	572		awards, which may include a point-based system that requires earning 470
573	573		points for responding to calls, attending meetings and trainings or 471
574	574		other factors, (2) documentation for earning such credits, including a 472
575	575		system to permit volunteer fire companies and departments to comply 473 Substitute Bill No. 6841
576	576
577	577
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581	581
582	582		with the requirements of subsection (d) of this section, and (3) 474
583	583		contesting determinations of service credits awarded to a participant. 475
584	584		Sec. 11. Section 3-13c of the general statutes is repealed and the 476
585	585		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 477
586	586		Trust funds as used in sections 3-13 to 3-13e, inclusive, and 3-31b 478
587	587		shall be construed to include Connecticut Municipal Employees' 479
588	588		Retirement Fund A, Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement 480
589	589		Fund B, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund, Family and Medical Leave 481
590	590		Insurance Trust Fund, State's Attorneys' Retirement Fund, Teachers' 482
591	591		Annuity Fund, Teachers' Pension Fund, Teachers' Survivorship and 483
592	592		Dependency Fund, School Fund, State Employees Retirement Fund, 484
593	593		the Hospital Insurance Fund, Policemen and Firemen Survivor's 485
594	594		Benefit Fund, Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award Program 486
595	595		Trust Fund, any trust fund described in subdivision (1) of subsection 487
596	596		(b) of section 7-450 that is administered, held or invested by the State 488
597	597		Treasurer and all other trust funds administered, held or invested by 489
598	598		the State Treasurer. 490
599	599		Sec. 12. (Effective from passage) The State Retirement Commission 491
600	600		shall develop a new tier or classification within the municipal 492
601	601		employees' retirement system for public safety professionals. Such tier 493
602	602		or classification shall (1) take into consideration the tiered 494
603	603		classifications of firefighters developed pursuant to section 13 of this 495
604	604		act, and (2) permit an individual employed as a firefighter to retire 496
605	605		from such position with one participating municipality and accept 497
606	606		employment as a firefighter with another participating municipality 498
607	607		and be eligible for retirement benefits from such other municipality. 499
608	608		The commission may consult with the Commission on Fire Prevention 500
609	609		Control, the State Fire Administrator and any other entities deemed 501
610	610		appropriate in developing such new tier or classification. Not later 502
611	611		than January 1, 2024, the commission shall report to the joint standing 503
612	612		committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matter 504
613	613		relating to public safety and security, in accordance with the 505
614	614		provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, regarding the terms 506 Substitute Bill No. 6841
615	615
616	616
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620	620
621	621		and benefits that will be applicable to such tier or classification and 507
622	622		legislation necessary to implement such tier or classification. 508
623	623		Sec. 13. (Effective from passage) (a) The Commission on Fire 509
624	624		Prevention and Control shall conduct a study of the different levels of 510
625	625		training and certification of firefighters and the benefits available to 511
626	626		firefighters and make recommendations regarding benefits to provide 512
627	627		incentives to encourage individuals to begin a career in firefighting 513
628	628		and encourage firefighters to continue in their careers in firefighting. 514
629	629		As part of such study, the commission shall: 515
630	630		(1) Develop a tiered classification of firefighters based on various 516
631	631		factors the commission deems relevant, which may include, but need 517
632	632		not be limited to, a firefighter's certification and level of training, years 518
633	633		of experience, responsibilities, including any supervisory, executive, 519
634	634		support or administrative responsibilities and status as an employed 520
635	635		or volunteer firefighter, and the commission may include one of more 521
636	636		classifications for individuals training to become a firefighter; 522
637	637		(2) Identify existing benefits available to firefighters, including the 523
638	638		volunteer firefighter length of service award program established 524
639	639		under section 10 of this act and the retirement tier developed pursuant 525
640	640		to section 12 of this act, propose changes to any such benefits and 526
641	641		identify new benefits that could encourage recruitment and retention 527
642	642		of employed and volunteer firefighters; 528
643	643		(3) Consider as a factor for a firefighter's eligibility for any one or 529
644	644		more benefits identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection, 530
645	645		whether the firefighter (A) adheres to standard 1582 of the National 531
646	646		Fire Protection Association on comprehensive occupational medical 532
647	647		program for fire departments, or any subsequent standard by such 533
648	648		association that is applicable to fire departments, and (B) does not use 534
649	649		any tobacco products; and 535
650	650		(4) Consider whether eligibility for any one or more benefits 536
651	651		identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection should be 537 Substitute Bill No. 6841
652	652
653	653
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657	657
658	658		determined based on a firefighter's inclusion in a specific classification 538
659	659		tier, as developed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in 539
660	660		order to provide incentives that encourage individuals to begin a 540
661	661		career in firefighting and encourage firefighters to continue in their 541
662	662		careers in firefighting. 542
663	663		(b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the commission shall report the 543
664	664		results of the study, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 544
665	665		of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General 545
666	666		Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and 546
667	667		security. 547
668	668		Sec. 14. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) The Department of Public Health 548
669	669		shall establish a pilot program to provide emergency services 549
670	670		organizations, as defined in section 19a-904 of the general statutes, 550
671	671		with (1) equipment capable of identifying individuals at high risk of 551
672	672		cardiac arrest, (2) an early detection system capable of identifying 552
673	673		individuals who are at low risk of cardiac arrest before such 553
674	674		individuals experience critical cardiac issues, or (3) both such 554
675	675		equipment and system. Not later than October 1, 2023, the department 555
676	676		shall (A) post in a conspicuous place on the department's Internet web 556
677	677		site a description of the program, including, but not limited to, 557
678	678		eligibility criteria and the application process for such program, and 558
679	679		(B) notify each emergency services organization of the opportunity to 559
680	680		apply for participation in such program. 560
681	681		(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the commissioner shall, in 561
682	682		accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 562
683	683		report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 563
684	684		cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security on the 564
685	685		result of such pilot program and recommendations as to whether to 565
686	686		continue or expand such program. 566
687		-	~~This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend~~ the ~~following~~
688		-	~~sections:~~
689		-	Substitute Bill No. 6841
	687	+	Sec. 15. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of five hundred thousand 567
	688	+	dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 568
	689	+	Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal years ending 569 Substitute Bill No. 6841
690	690
691	691
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	695	+
	696	+	June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for the purpose of providing funds, in 570
	697	+	addition to any reimbursement provided pursuant to subsection (b) of 571
	698	+	section 7-323p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to reduce 572
	699	+	the cost to trainees and fire departments of attendance at the state fire 573
	700	+	school. 574
	701	+	Sec. 16. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of five hundred thousand 575
	702	+	dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 576
	703	+	Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal years ending 577
	704	+	June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for the purpose of providing funds to 578
	705	+	reduce the cost to trainees and fire departments of attendance at 579
	706	+	regional fire schools. 580
	707	+	Sec. 17. (Effective July 1, 2023) The sum of seven hundred fifty 581
	708	+	thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Public Health 582
	709	+	from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, for the 583
	710	+	purposes of providing scholarships pursuant to section 4 of this act. 584
	711	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	712	+	sections:
695	713
696	714		Section 1 July 1, 2023 New section
697	715		Sec. 2 July 1, 2023 7-323o
698	716		Sec. 3 July 1, 2023 7-323p
699	717		Sec. 4 July 1, 2023 New section
700	718		Sec. 5 July 1, 2023 New section
701	719		Sec. 6 July 1, 2023 New section
702	720		Sec. 7 July 1, 2023 10a-77(d)
703	721		Sec. 8 July 1, 2023 10a-99(d)
704	722		Sec. 9 July 1, 2023 10a-105(e)
705	723		Sec. 10 July 1, 2023 New section
706	724		Sec. 11 July 1, 2023 3-13c
707	725		Sec. 12 from passage New section
708	726		Sec. 13 from passage New section
709	727		Sec. 14 July 1, 2023 New section
	728	+	Sec. 15 July 1, 2023 New section
	729	+	Sec. 16 July 1, 2023 New section
	730	+	Sec. 17 July 1, 2023 New section Substitute Bill No. 6841
710	731
711		-	APP Joint Favorable Subst.
	732	+
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	736	+
	737	+
	738	+	ED Joint Favorable Subst.
712	739