Researcher: GM Page 1 4/3/24
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 421
AN ACT CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
§§ 1 & 21 — LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION PROMOTION
CAMPAIGN
Requires DESPP to develop a statewide campaign promoting the law enforcement
profession and appropriates $500,000 for this purpose
§ 2 — POLICE CADET/EXPLORER PROGRAM COOR DINATOR
Requires DESPP to (1) employ a full-time program coordinator to oversee police cadet and
explorer programs and (2) allocate $5,000 each fiscal year to every municipal police
department that operates or plans to operate these programs
§ 3 — POLICE BASIC TRAINING REIMBURSEMEN T GRANTS
Requires DESPP to reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of police officer
basic training through an annual grant program
§ 4 — STUDY ON SUBSTITUTING COLLEGE COURSES FOR POLICE
BASIC TRAINING
Requires POST to study whether college-level criminal justice courses can be substituted
for its police basic training courses
§ 5 — LAWFUL PERMANE NT RESIDENT NONCITIZENS AS POLICE
OFFICERS
Prohibits denying someone certification or employment as a police officer only because he
or she is a lawful permanent resident noncitizen
§ 6 — POLICE SALARY INCREASE GRANTS
Requires DESPP, starting FY 25, to provide annual grants to the top 10 most populous
municipalities to increase their police officers’ salaries
§ 7 — RECOMMENDATION S ON POLICE BONUSES
Requires DESPP and POST to create a report with recommendations on providing bonuses
to new and existing police officers
§ 8 — HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREES PATHWAY
Requires the Board of Regents, UConn Board of Trustees, and POST to take specific actions
towards helping police officers earn higher education degrees
§§ 9-11 — TUITION WAIVERS FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND
DEPENDENT CHILDREN 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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Provides tuition waivers for the state’s public colleges and universities to police officers
employed for at least two years and any dependent child of an officer employed for at least
five years
§ 12 — LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR PO LICE OFFICERS
Requires OHE to create an annual grant program to give up to $5,000 a year, for up to 10
years, to police officers who have been employed for at least 10 years to reimburse their
federal or state educational loans
§ 13 — PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
Exempts $10,000 in property taxes for police officers residing in distressed municipalities
§ 14 — CHFA ASSISTANCE FOR HOME PURCHASE S
Requires enhanced assistance by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to police
officers seeking to buy a house in the communities they serve
§ 15 — STUDIES ON DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLANS AND
RETIREMENT MEDICAL B ENEFITS
Requires the State Retirement Commission to study (1) deferred retirement option plans
towards developing one for police officers and (2) existing retirement medical benefits
provided to police officers and their spouses
§ 16 — STATE POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RETURNING TO SERVICE
Directs the governor to enter negotiations to amend the state police officers collective
bargaining agreement to set conditions for retired officers to return to service
§ 17 — MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RETURNING TO
SERVICE
Generally, requires collective bargaining agreements between municipalities and
municipal police officers to allow retired, POST-certified officers to return to part- or full-
time employment
§ 18 — VOLUNTEER POLICE AUXILIARY TASK FORCE
Creates a nine-member task force to (1) study the volunteer police auxiliary force and (2)
make recommendations for improving and maximizing the force
§ 19 — DRONE PILOT PROGRAM
Provides drones to law enforcement units in FY 25 through a DESPP pilot program
§ 20 — POLICE MENTAL HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM
Increases police officer mental health assistance for FY 25 through a DESPP pilot program,
within available appropriations
BACKGROUND
§§ 1 & 21 — LAW ENFORCEMENT PROF ESSION PROMOTION
CAMPAIGN
Requires DESPP to develop a statewide campaign promoting the law enforcement
profession and appropriates $500,000 for this purpose
This bill requires the Department of Emergency Services and Public
Protection (DESPP) commissioner, by January 1, 2025, to develop a 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
Researcher: GM Page 3 4/3/24
statewide campaign to promote the law enforcement profession that
uses a variety of media, including social media. In developing the
campaign, the commissioner may consult with the Connecticut Police
Chiefs Association and any other entities he deems appropriate.
The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for FY 25 to
DESPP for the campaign.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 2 — POLICE CADET/EXPLORER PROGRAM COOR DINATOR
Requires DESPP to (1) employ a full-time program coordinator to oversee police cadet and
explorer programs and (2) allocate $5,000 each fiscal year to every municipal police
department that operates or plans to operate these programs
The bill requires DESPP to employ a full-time program coordinator
to coordinate and oversee police cadet and explorer programs,
implement state standards and a best practices guide for them, and
encourage creating and expanding the programs throughout the state.
Starting with FY 25, the department must annually allocate $5,000 to
each municipal police department that operates, or plans to operate, a
cadet or explorer program.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 3 — POLICE BASIC TRAINING REIMBURSEMEN T GRANTS
Requires DESPP to reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of police officer
basic training through an annual grant program
The bill requires DESPP to create a grant program for reimbursing
municipal police departments for the cost of police officer basic training.
The department must (1) set the grant application process and forms
and (2) post a description of the program that includes the eligibility
criteria and application process. The posting must be in a conspicuous
place on DESPP’s website by October 1, 2024. Grants must be provided
annually starting FY 25.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 4 — STUDY ON SUBST ITUTING COLLEGE COURSES FOR
POLICE BASIC TRAINING 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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Requires POST to study whether college-level criminal justice courses can be substituted
for its police basic training courses
The bill requires the Police Officer Standards and Training Council
(POST) to examine the criminal justice courses offered by colleges and
universities in Connecticut and determine (1) if the courses equal those
required as part of a police officer’s minimum basic law enforcement
training at the Connecticut Police Academy and (2) under what
conditions a police trainee would not need to complete an academy
course because he or she had already completed an equivalent college-
level course. By January 1, 2025, POST must submit a report of its
examination and determination to the Public Safety and Security
Committee.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 5 — LAWFUL PERMANE NT RESIDENT NONCITIZENS AS POLICE
OFFICERS
Prohibits denying someone certification or employment as a police officer only because he
or she is a lawful permanent resident noncitizen
The bill prohibits POST from denying police officer certification and
law enforcement units from denying someone employment as a police
officer only because he or she is a lawful permanent resident noncitizen.
(See BACKGROUND for the bill’s definition of “law enforcement units”
and “police officer.”)
The bill also makes a technical change.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 6 — POLICE SALARY INCREASE GRANTS
Requires DESPP, starting FY 25, to provide annual grants to the top 10 most populous
municipalities to increase their police officers’ salaries
The bill requires DESPP to create a grant program for increasing
police officer salaries in the top 10 most populous municipalities. Grants
must be provided annually starting FY 25. The bill prohibits recipients
from using the grant for any purpose other than increasing their police
officers’ salaries.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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§ 7 — RECOMMENDATION S ON POLICE BONUSES
Requires DESPP and POST to create a report with recommendations on providing
bonuses to new and existing police officers
By January 1, 2025, the bill requires DESPP and POST to jointly
submit a report to the Public Safety and Security Committee with
recommendations on providing bonuses to encourage individuals to
begin and continue careers as police officers. Specifically, the report
must include recommendations for a schedule of bonuses to be awarded
to (1) new officers when they begin service and (2) existing officers
based on years of service.
Under the bill, DESPP and POST may consult with municipal police
chiefs and any other individuals or entities in developing their
recommendations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 8 — HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREES PATHWAY
Requires the Board of Regents, UConn Board of Trustees, and POST to take specific
actions towards helping police officers earn higher education degrees
By January 1, 2025, the bill requires the Board of Regents for Higher
Education, UConn’s Board of Trustees, and POST to jointly submit a
report to the Public Safety and Security Committee that includes a career
pathway and schedule that they must develop. The pathway must help
police officers earn higher education degrees and include a schedule of
credits that officers may receive at UConn (and all its campuses) and the
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for the training they
received in order to be certified, and maintain their certification, as
police officers.
The boards and POST must promote this pathway to encourage
police officers to earn higher education degrees, and their report must
describe their plans for promoting it.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§§ 9-11 — TUITION WAIVERS FOR POLICE OFF ICERS AND
DEPENDENT CHILDREN 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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Provides tuition waivers for the state’s public colleges and universities to police officers
employed for at least two years and any dependent child of an officer employed for at least
five years
The bill requires UConn, the Connecticut State University System,
and the regional community-technical colleges to waive tuition for (1) a
police officer who has at least two years of service as an officer in
Connecticut and (2) any dependent child of a police officer who has at
least five years of service as an officer in the state. The waivers apply to
tuition fees for any undergraduate or graduate degree programs as
applicable.
Under existing law, the schools must waive tuition for certain other
categories of students (e.g., surviving children of people who died while
serving in active duty in the armed forces).
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 12 — LOAN REIMBURS EMENT PROGRAM FOR PO LICE
OFFICERS
Requires OHE to create an annual grant program to give up to $5,000 a year, for up to 10
years, to police officers who have been employed for at least 10 years to reimburse their
federal or state educational loans
The bill requires the Office of Higher Education (OHE), in
collaboration with DESPP, to create a loan reimbursement program for
individuals employed as police officers in Connecticut for at least 10
years and who otherwise satisfy OHE’s eligibility criteria.
Under the program, eligible officers may receive an annual grant to
help reimburse their federal or state educational loan payments for up
to 10 years. The grant may be for up to 10% of their loans, but no more
than $5,000 in any year, and only to reimburse loan payments made
while the person is employed as a police officer.
Under the bill, the OHE executive director sets the program
application process. The office may accept gifts, grants, and donations
from any source, public or private, for the program. Grants must be
awarded annually starting FY 25. The bill prohibits unexpended funds
from lapsing at the end of a fiscal year and instead requires that they be
available for the next fiscal year. 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 13 — PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
Exempts $10,000 in property taxes for police officers residing in distressed municipalities
The bill exempts $10,000 in property taxes on property belonging to,
or held in trust for, a police officer who resides in a Connecticut
distressed municipality. (See BACKGROUND for the bill’s definition of
“distressed municipality.”)
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2024, and applicable to assessment
years starting on or after that date.
§ 14 — CHFA ASSISTANCE FOR HOME PURCHASE S
Requires enhanced assistance by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to police
officers seeking to buy a house in the communities they serve
The bill requires the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to
enhance assistance available to police officers who seek to purchase a
house as an officer’s principal residence in the community he or she
serves. This assistance must prioritize first-time homebuyers and
include mortgage or down payment assistance or any other appropriate
housing subsidies. The terms of any mortgage assistance must allow the
mortgagee to realize a reasonable portion of the equity gain when the
mortgaged property is sold.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
§ 15 — STUDIES ON DEFERRED RETIREMENT OP TION PLANS
AND RETIREMENT MEDIC AL BENEFITS
Requires the State Retirement Commission to study (1) deferred retirement option plans
towards developing one for police officers and (2) existing retirement medical benefits
provided to police officers and their spouses
The bill requires the State Retirement Commission to study:
1. deferred retirement option plans, and make recommendations
for developing a state-administered plan open to any police
officer in Connecticut; and
2. the types and levels of retirement medical benefits provided to
police officers and their spouses in the state and make 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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recommendations on providing the benefits.
As part of its studies, the commission may consult with DESPP,
municipal police departments, and any other entities it deems
appropriate. The commission must report its findings and
recommendations to the Public Safety and Security Committee by
January 1, 2025.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 16 — STATE POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RET URNING TO
SERVICE
Directs the governor to enter negotiations to amend the state police officers collective
bargaining agreement to set conditions for retired officers to return to service
By October 1, 2024, the bill requires the governor to start negotiating
with the state police officers union to seek amendments to their
collective bargaining agreement that would set conditions under which
a retired state police officer may return to service and (1) resume earning
credit toward retirement benefits, in the same way as the retired officer
earned credit before retirement, and (2) be eligible for earning his or her
pre-retirement benefits.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 17 — MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RETURNING TO
SERVICE
Generally, requires collective bargaining agreements between municipalities and
municipal police officers to allow retired, POST-certified officers to return to part- or full-
time employment
The bill requires each collective bargaining agreement entered into or
amended on or after July 1, 2024, between a municipality and a union
that represents the municipality’s police officers to allow officers who
retire and remain POST-certified to return to part- or full-time
employment as a police officer with the municipality while collecting
his or her pension, to the maximum extent allowed under state and
federal law.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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§ 18 — VOLUNTEER POL ICE AUXILIARY TASK FORCE
Creates a nine-member task force to (1) study the volunteer police auxiliary force and (2)
make recommendations for improving and maximizing the force
The bill creates a nine-member task force to study the volunteer
police auxiliary force and recommend ways to improve its organization
and maximize the services that auxiliary state police and municipal
police officers may provide.
The task force members must be appointed within 30 days after the
bill passes. The members and their appointees are as follows:
1. two appointments by the governor;
2. one appointment each by the top six legislative leaders; and
3. the DESPP commissioner, or his designee.
The bill allows legislative appointees to be General Assembly
members. The House speaker and Senate president pro tempore must
select the task force’s chairpersons from the members. The chairpersons
must schedule the first task force meeting, to be held within 60 days after
the bill passes, and the Public Safety and Security Committee
administrative staff must serve as the task force’s administrative staff.
The bill requires the task force to report its findings and
recommendations to the Public Safety and Security Committee by
January 1, 2025. The task force terminates on that date or when it
submits the report, whichever is later.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 19 — DRONE PILOT PROGRAM
Provides drones to law enforcement units in FY 25 through a DESPP pilot program
For FY 25, the bill requires DESPP to develop a pilot program to give
law enforcement units unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) to
respond to service requests, assist units in assessing the dangers and
needs at the scene of a request before a police officer arrives, and
enhance police officer safety and the services that units provide to the
public. 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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By October 1, 2024, the department must (1) develop the program’s
eligibility criteria, application forms, and deadlines; (2) post a
description of the program on DESPP’s website that includes the
criteria, forms, and deadlines; and (3) notify units about the opportunity
to apply for the program. In identifying units for participation, DESPP
must give priority to those that would most benefit from the program,
including those with reduced staffing levels.
By January 1, 2026, each participating unit must submit a report to
DESPP describing the unit’s use of its drones, their impact on its ability
to provide services to the public, and any recommendations for the
continuation or improvement of the pilot program.
DESPP must also report, by July 1, 2026, to the Public Safety and
Security Committee on the program. The report must include (1)
information on the units that applied, which ones were chosen to
participate, and the reasons for choosing them; (2) a summary of the
reports submitted by participating units; (3) an analysis of the pilot
program’s results; and (4) recommendations on the continuation or
expansion of the pilot, funding needs, and any necessary legislation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 20 — POLICE MENTAL HEALTH PILOT PROGRA M
Increases police officer mental health assistance for FY 25 through a DESPP pilot
program, within available appropriations
For FY 25, the bill requires DESPP to administer, within available
appropriations, a pilot program to enhance programs and initiatives
addressing the mental health needs of police officers at one or more law
enforcement units with more than 300 officers.
The program may include the development or enhancement of peer-
to-peer support programs, programs that train officers to help
themselves and fellow officers deal with mental health issues associated
with their jobs, programs that employ a psychologist or other mental
health professionals within the unit to help officers with their mental
health needs, employee assistance programs, and any other programs
and resources that may address officers’ mental health needs. 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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By October 1, 2024, the department must (1) develop the program’s
eligibility criteria, application forms, and deadlines; (2) post a
description of the program on DESPP’s website that includes the
criteria, forms, and deadlines; and (3) notify units with more than 300
officers about the opportunity to apply for the program.
By January 1, 2026, each participating unit must submit a report to
DESPP describing the programs, services, and resources it provided
through the pilot program, their impact on the mental health of its
officers, and recommendations for the continuation or improvement of
the programs, services, and resources.
DESPP must also report, by July 1, 2026, to the Public Safety and
Security Committee on the program. The report must include (1)
information on the number of units that applied and which ones were
chosen to participate; (2) an analysis of the programs, services, and
resources provided by units and their effectiveness in addressing
officers’ mental health needs; (3) a list of programs, services, and
resources identified as best practices that could be implemented by units
across the state to address the mental health needs of officers; and (4)
recommendations on the pilot program, funding for specific programs,
services, and resources to address the mental health needs of police
officers, and any necessary legislation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Police Officer and Law Enforcement Unit Definitions
By law and under sections 5, 7-13, 15 and 19-20 of the bill, “police
officers” are sworn members of an organized local police department or
the State Police; appointed constables who perform criminal law
enforcement duties; special police officers appointed under law (e.g.,
public assistance fraud investigators); or any members of a law
enforcement unit who perform police duties (CGS § 7-294a(9)). A “law
enforcement unit” is any state or municipal agency or department (or
tribal agency or department created and governed under a
memorandum of agreement) whose primary functions include 2024SB-00421-R000223-BA.DOCX
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enforcing criminal or traffic laws; preserving public order; protecting
life and property; or preventing, detecting, or investigating crime (CGS
§ 7-294a(8)).
Distressed Municipality
The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
annually ranks municipalities based on their relative economic and
fiscal distress and designates the top 25 as “distressed municipalities”
(CGS § 32-9p(b)). Most recently, in 2023, DECD designated the following
municipalities as distressed: Ansonia, Bridgeport, Chaplin, Derby, East
Hartford, East Haven, Griswold, Hartford, Lisbon, Mansfield, Meriden,
Montville, New Britain, New London, Norwich, Plymouth, Putnam,
Sprague, Sterling, Torrington, Voluntown, Waterbury, West Haven,
Winchester, and Windham.
Related Bills
SB 231 (File 138), favorably reported by the Public Safety and Security
Committee, requires DESPP to administer a grant program for law
enforcement units and municipal and volunteer fire departments to buy
drones. The department must do this within available appropriations,
starting in FY 25 and each fiscal year after.
sSB 3, § 4, favorably reported by the General Law Committee, among
other things, prohibits public entities (including police and fire
departments) from operating drones assembled or manufactured by
certain foreign entities (e.g., China and Russia) starting October 1, 2025.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 25 Nay 0 (03/19/2024)