Connecticut 2024 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00421 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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7	5		General Assembly Raised Bill No. 421
8	6		February Session, 2024
9	7		LCO No. 2733
10	8
11	9
12	10		Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
13	11
14	12
15	13		Introduced by:
16	14		(PS)
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20	19		AN ACT CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITMENT AND
21	20		RETENTION.
22	21		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
23	22		Assembly convened:
24	23
25	24		Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2024) Not later than January 1, 2025, the 1
26	25		Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall 2
27	26		develop a state-wide campaign to promote the law enforcement 3
28	27		profession. In developing such campaign, the commissioner may 4
29	28		consult with the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and any other 5
30	29		entities the commissioner deems appropriate. The commissioner shall 6
31	30		use a variety of media, including social media, as part of such campaign. 7
32	31		Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The Department of Emergency 8
33	32		Services and Public Protection shall employ a full-time cadet or explorer 9
34	33		program coordinator, who shall coordinate and oversee police cadet or 10
35	34		explorer programs, implement state standards and a best practices 11
36	35		guide for such programs and encourage establishment and expansion 12
37	36		of such programs throughout the state. 13
38		-	(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year 14 Bill No. 421
	37	+	(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year 14
	38	+	thereafter, the department shall allocate five thousand dollars to each 15 Raised Bill No. 421
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45		-	thereafter, the department shall allocate five thousand dollars to each 15
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46	44		municipal police department that operates, or plans to operate in the 16
47	45		following fiscal year, a cadet or explorer program. 17
48	46		Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 18
49	47		2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Emergency 19
50	48		Services and Public Protection shall establish a grant program to 20
51	49		reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of basic training of 21
52	50		police officers. Not later than October 1, 2024, the department shall post 22
53	51		in a conspicuous place on the department's Internet web site a 23
54	52		description of the grant program, including, but not limited to, 24
55	53		eligibility criteria and the application process for the program. A 25
56	54		municipal police department shall apply for such grants on such forms 26
57	55		and in such manner as determined by the department. 27
58	56		Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) For the purposes of this section, 28
59	57		"academy" and "basic training" have the same meanings as provided in 29
60	58		section 7-294a of the general statutes. The Police Officer Standards and 30
61	59		Training Council shall examine criminal justice courses offered by 31
62	60		colleges and universities in the state, and determine (1) whether any 32
63	61		such courses are equivalent to courses required as part of basic training 33
64	62		at the academy, and (2) under what conditions an individual attending 34
65	63		the academy for basic training need not complete a course at the 35
66	64		academy because the individual completed an equivalent course at a 36
67	65		college or university in the state. Not later than January 1, 2025, the 37
68	66		council shall submit a report of its examination and determination, in 38
69	67		accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 39
70	68		to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 40
71	69		cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. 41
72	70		Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 7-294d of the general statutes is 42
73	71		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 43
74	72		2024): 44
75	73		(b) (1) No person may be employed as a police officer by any law 45
76		-	enforcement unit for a period exceeding one year unless such person 46 Bill No. 421
	74	+	enforcement unit for a period exceeding one year unless such person 46
	75	+	has been certified under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section 47 Raised Bill No. 421
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83		-	has been certified under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section 47
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84	81		or has been granted an extension by the council. No person may serve 48
85	82		as a police officer during any period when such person's certification 49
86	83		has been cancelled or revoked pursuant to the provisions of subsection 50
87	84		(c) of this section. In addition to the requirements of this subsection, the 51
88	85		council may establish other qualifications for the employment of police 52
89	86		officers and require evidence of fulfillment of these qualifications. No 53
90	87		law enforcement unit shall deny employment as a police officer to a 54
91	88		prospective employee, and the council shall not deny certification under 55
92	89		the provisions of subsection (a) of this section to an individual, solely on 56
93	90		the basis of such prospective employee's or such individual's status as a 57
94	91		noncitizen of the United States, provided such prospective employee or 58
95	92		such individual is lawfully admitted for permanent residence of the 59
96	93		United States under federal law and regulations. 60
97	94		(2) The certification of any police officer who is not employed by a 61
98	95		law enforcement unit for a period of time in excess of two years, unless 62
99	96		such officer is on leave of absence, shall be considered lapsed. Upon 63
100	97		reemployment as a police officer, such officer shall apply for 64
101	98		recertification in a manner provided by the council, provided such 65
102	99		recertification process requires the police officer to submit to a urinalysis 66
103	100		drug test that screens for controlled substances, including, but not 67
104	101		limited to, anabolic steroids, and receive a result indicating no presence 68
105	102		of any controlled substance not prescribed for the officer. The council 69
106	103		shall certify any applicant who presents evidence of satisfactory 70
107	104		completion of a program or course of instruction in another state or, if 71
108	105		the applicant is a veteran or a member of the armed forces or the 72
109	106		National Guard, as part of training during service in the armed forces, 73
110	107		that is equivalent in content and quality to that required in this state, 74
111	108		provided such applicant passes an examination or evaluation as 75
112	109		required by the council. For the purposes of this [section] subdivision, 76
113	110		"veteran" and "armed forces" have the same meanings as provided in 77
114	111		section 27-103. 78
115		-	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 79 Bill No. 421
	112	+	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 79
	113	+	2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Emergency 80
	114	+	Services and Public Protection shall provide a grant to each of the top 81 Raised Bill No. 421
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122		-	~~2025, and each fiscal year thereafter,~~ ~~the Commissioner~~ of ~~Emergency 80~~
123		-	~~Services and Public Protection shall provide a grant to each of the top 81~~
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124	120		ten most populous municipalities in the state in order to increase the 82
125	121		salaries of police officers serving such municipalities. A municipality 83
126	122		receiving such a grant shall not use the grant for any purpose other than 84
127	123		increasing the salaries of such officers. 85
128	124		Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2025, 86
129	125		the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the 87
130	126		Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a 88
131	127		report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 89
132	128		statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 90
133	129		having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such 91
134	130		report shall include recommendations for a schedule of bonuses to be 92
135	131		awarded to individuals upon entering service as a police officer, as 93
136	132		defined in section 7-294a of the general statutes, and to be awarded to 94
137	133		such officers based on years of service, in order to encourage individuals 95
138	134		to begin and continue careers as police officers. The department and 96
139	135		council may consult with chiefs of municipal police departments and 97
140	136		any other individuals or entities in developing such recommendations. 98
141	137		Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than January 1, 2025, 99
142	138		the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of The 100
143	139		University of Connecticut and the Police Officer Standards and Training 101
144	140		Council shall jointly develop a career pathway to assist police officers in 102
145	141		obtaining higher education degrees. Such pathway shall include a 103
146	142		schedule of credits that officers may receive at each constituent unit of 104
147	143		higher education, as defined in section 10a-1 of the general statutes, for 105
148	144		the training such officers received in order to be certified, and maintain 106
149	145		their certification, as police officers pursuant to section 7-294d of the 107
150	146		general statutes, as amended by this act. Such boards and council shall 108
151	147		promote such pathway in order to encourage police officers to earn 109
152	148		higher education degrees. 110
153	149		(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the Board of Regents for Higher 111
154		-	Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and 112 Bill No. 421
	150	+	Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and 112
	151	+	the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a 113
	152	+	report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 114 Raised Bill No. 421
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161		-	~~the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a 113~~
162		-	~~report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 114~~
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163	158		statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 115
164	159		having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such 116
165	160		report shall include the pathway and schedule developed pursuant to 117
166	161		subsection (a) of this section and a description of plans to promote such 118
167	162		pathway. 119
168	163		Sec. 9. Subsection (d) of section 10a-77 of the general statutes is 120
169	164		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 121
170	165		2024): 122
171	166		(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any of 123
172	167		the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child 124
173	168		of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to 125
174	169		be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in 126
175	170		such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted 127
176	171		for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time 128
177	172		such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the 129
178	173		provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 130
179	174		section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 131
180	175		section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 132
181	176		time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 133
182	177		service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such 134
183	178		institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 135
184	179		accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the 136
185	180		state sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular 137
186	181		registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number 138
187	182		of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to 139
188	183		this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to 140
189	184		enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating 141
190	185		all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State 142
191	186		Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said 143
192	187		academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical 144
193		-	college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active 145 Bill No. 421
	188	+	college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active 145
	189	+	member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has 146
	190	+	been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's 147
	191	+	designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled 148 Raised Bill No. 421
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199	194
200		-	member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has 146
201		-	been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's 147
202		-	designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled 148
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203	197		or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time 149
204	198		basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any 150
205	199		dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or 151
206	200		supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in 152
207	201		section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 153
208	202		employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 154
209	203		the line of duty, (7) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child 155
210	204		or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of 156
211	205		this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was 157
212	206		killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 158
213	207		10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of 159
214	208		the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who 160
215	209		was killed in action while performing active military duty with the 161
216	210		armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and 162
217	211		who was a resident of this state, (10) for a police officer, as defined in 163
218	212		section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for 164
219	213		not less than two years, and (11) for any dependent child of a police 165
220	214		officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an 166
221	215		officer in the state for not less than five years. If any person who receives 167
222	216		a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also 168
223	217		receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver 169
224	218		shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. 170
225	219		Veterans and members of the National Guard described in subdivision 171
226	220		(5) of this subsection shall be given the same status as students not 172
227	221		receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses at regional 173
228	222		community-technical colleges. Notwithstanding the provisions of 174
229	223		section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" 175
230	224		includes domicile for less than one year. 176
231	225		Sec. 10. Subsection (d) of section 10a-99 of the 2024 supplement to the 177
232	226		general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 178
233		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 179 Bill No. 421
	227	+	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 179
	228	+	(d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees for 180
	229	+	undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Connecticut State 181
	230	+	University System (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the 182 Raised Bill No. 421
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240		-	(d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees for 180
241		-	undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Connecticut State 181
242		-	University System (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the 182
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243	236		armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or 183
244	237		to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after 184
245	238		January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such 185
246	239		institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted 186
247	240		for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of 187
248	241		subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-188
249	242		103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, 189
250	243		except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall 190
251	244		not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, 191
252	245		which veteran has been accepted for admission to such institution and 192
253	246		is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for 193
254	247		admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two 194
255	248		years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such 195
256	249		institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting 196
257	250		program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are 197
258	251		enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those 198
259	252		residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the 199
260	253		course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space 200
261	254		available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for 201
262	255		any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled 202
263	256		in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination 203
264	257		with the university which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) 204
265	258		for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard 205
266	259		who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant 206
267	260		General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) 207
268	261		is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time 208
269	262		or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting 209
270	263		program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined 210
271	264		in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) 211
272	265		firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire 212
273	266		company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in 213
274		-	section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state 214 Bill No. 421
	267	+	section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state 214
	268	+	who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist 215
	269	+	victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a 216
	270	+	resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the 217 Raised Bill No. 421
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281		-	who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist 215
282		-	victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a 216
283		-	resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the 217
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284	276		intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, 218
285	277		[and] (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or 219
286	278		surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing 220
287	279		active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or 221
288	280		after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (10) for a 222
289	281		police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as 223
290	282		such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (11) for any 224
291	283		dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has 225
292	284		been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years. 226
293	285		If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the 227
294	286		provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement 228
295	287		from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such 229
296	288		educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National 230
297	289		Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the 231
298	290		same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for 232
299	291		courses at Connecticut state universities. Notwithstanding the 233
300	292		provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in 234
301	293		this state" includes domicile for less than one year. 235
302	294		Sec. 11. Subsection (e) of section 10a-105 of the 2024 supplement to 236
303	295		the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 237
304	296		thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 238
305	297		(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees for 239
306	298		any undergraduate or graduate degree program at The University of 240
307	299		Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed 241
308	300		forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have 242
309	301		been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 243
310	302		1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to The University 244
311	303		of Connecticut and is a resident of the state at the time such child is 245
312	304		accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the provisions 246
313		-	of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-247 Bill No. 421
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	305	+	of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-247
320	306		103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, 248
321	307		except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall 249
322	308		not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, 250
323		-	which veteran has been accepted for admission to said institution and is 251
	309	+	which veteran has been accepted for admission to said institution and is 251 Raised Bill No. 421
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324	315		domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission 252
325	316		to said institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age 253
326	317		or older who has been accepted for admission to said institution, 254
327	318		provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or 255
328	319		(B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the 256
329	320		course a sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible 257
330	321		for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which 258
331	322		such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such 259
332	323		course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any active member 260
333	324		of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been 261
334	325		certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee 262
335	326		as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or 263
336	327		accepted for admission to said institution on a full-time or part-time 264
337	328		basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (5) for 265
338	329		any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, 266
339	330		or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined 267
340	331		in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 268
341	332		employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 269
342	333		the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state who is the dependent 270
343	334		child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a 271
344	335		resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a resident of the state 272
345	336		who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of 273
346	337		Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (8) for 274
347	338		any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse 275
348	339		of a person who was killed in action while performing active military 276
349	340		duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 277
350	341		11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (9) for a police officer, as 278
351	342		defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in 279
352	343		the state for not less than two years, and (10) for any dependent child of 280
353	344		a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as 281
354		-	such an officer in the state for not less than five years. If any person who 282 Bill No. 421
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	345	+	such an officer in the state for not less than five years. If any person who 282
361	346		receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this 283
362	347		subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, 284
363	348		such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational 285
364		-	reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National Guard 286
	349	+	reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National Guard 286 Raised Bill No. 421
	350	+
	351	+
	352	+
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365	355		described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be given the same 287
366	356		status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses 288
367	357		at The University of Connecticut. Notwithstanding the provisions of 289
368	358		section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" 290
369	359		includes domicile for less than one year. 291
370	360		Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) For the fiscal year ending 292
371	361		June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Office of Higher 293
372	362		Education, in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Services 294
373	363		and Public Protection, shall administer a police officer loan 295
374	364		reimbursement grant program for individuals who have been employed 296
375	365		as a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a of the general statutes, in 297
376	366		the state for not less than ten years. 298
377	367		(b) Any individual who satisfies the eligibility requirements 299
378	368		prescribed by the office may receive an annual grant for reimbursement 300
379	369		of federal or state educational loans (1) in an amount up to ten per cent 301
380	370		of such individual's federal or state educational loans but not exceeding 302
381	371		five thousand dollars in any year, and (2) for a period not to exceed ten 303
382	372		years. Such individual shall only be reimbursed for loan payments made 304
383	373		while such person is employed as a police officer in the state. 305
384	374		(c) Individuals may apply to the Office of Higher Education for grants 306
385	375		under this section at such time and in such manner as the executive 307
386	376		director of the Office of Higher Education prescribes. 308
387	377		(d) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section 309
388	378		shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be available for 310
389	379		expenditure during the next fiscal year. 311
390	380		(e) The Office of Higher Education may accept gifts, grants and 312
391		-	donations, from any source, public or private, for the police officer loan 313 Bill No. 421
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	381	+	donations, from any source, public or private, for the police officer loan 313
398	382		reimbursement grant program. 314
399	383		Sec. 13. Section 12-81 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes 315
400	384		is amended by adding subdivision (83) as follows (Effective October 1, 316
401		-	2024, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 317
	385	+	2024, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 317 Raised Bill No. 421
	386	+
	387	+
	388	+
	389	+	LCO No. 2733 11 of 17
	390	+
402	391		2024): 318
403	392		(NEW) (83) Property to the amount of ten thousand dollars belonging 319
404	393		to, or held in trust for, any resident of this state who is a police officer, 320
405	394		as defined in section 7-294a, and resides in a distressed municipality, as 321
406		-	defined in section 32-9p. 322
	395	+	defined in section 32-6p. 322
407	396		Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) The Connecticut Housing 323
408	397		Finance Authority shall enhance assistance available to police officers 324
409	398		who seek to purchase a house as such officer's principal residence in the 325
410	399		community served by such officer. Such assistance shall prioritize first-326
411	400		time homebuyers and include mortgage assistance, down payment 327
412	401		assistance or any other appropriate housing subsidies. The terms of any 328
413	402		mortgage assistance shall allow the mortgagee to realize a reasonable 329
414	403		portion of the equity gain upon sale of the mortgaged property. 330
415	404		Sec. 15. (Effective from passage) The State Retirement Commission shall 331
416	405		(1) study deferred retirement option plans and make recommendations 332
417		-	for development of such a plan that (A) is administered by the state, and 333
	406	+	for development of such a plan that is (A) administered by the state, and 333
418	407		(B) permits any police officer, as defined in section 7-294a of the general 334
419	408		statutes, in the state to participate in the plan, and (2) study the types 335
420	409		and levels of retirement medical benefits provided to such officers and 336
421	410		the spouses of such officers in the state and make recommendations 337
422	411		regarding the provision of such benefits. The commission may consult 338
423	412		with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 339
424	413		municipal police departments and any other entities the commission 340
425	414		deems appropriate. Not later than January 1, 2025, the commission shall 341
426	415		report the results of such studies and any recommendations, in 342
427	416		accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 343
428	417		to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 344
429		-	cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. 345 Bill No. 421
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	418	+	cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. 345
436	419		Sec. 16. (Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2024, the 346
437	420		Governor shall enter into negotiations with the employee organization 347
438	421		that is the representative of state police officers to seek amendments to 348
439		-	any collective bargaining agreement to establish conditions under 349
	422	+	any collective bargaining agreement to establish conditions under 349 Raised Bill No. 421
	423	+
	424	+
	425	+
	426	+	LCO No. 2733 12 of 17
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440	428		which a state police officer who retired from service as such an officer 350
441	429		may return to such service and (1) resume earning credit toward 351
442	430		retirement benefits, in the same manner as such officer earned such 352
443	431		credit prior to such officer's retirement, and (2) be eligible for earning 353
444	432		the same benefits as such officer was eligible for prior to such officer's 354
445	433		retirement. 355
446	434		Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Each collective bargaining 356
447	435		agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2024, or amended on or after 357
448	436		July 1, 2024, between a municipality and an employee organization that 358
449	437		is the representative of police officers in the municipality shall permit 359
450	438		police officers who retire and remain certified by the Police Officer 360
451	439		Standards and Training Council pursuant to section 7-294d of the 361
452	440		general statutes, as amended by this act, to return to part-time or full-362
453	441		time employment as a police officer with the municipality while 363
454	442		collecting such officer's pension, to the maximum extent permissible 364
455	443		under state and federal law and regulations. 365
456	444		Sec. 18. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to 366
457	445		study the volunteer police auxiliary force authorized under section 29-367
458	446		22 of the general statutes and make recommendations for improving the 368
459	447		organization of such auxiliary force and maximizing the services that 369
460	448		may be provided by auxiliary state police and municipal police officers. 370
461	449		(b) The task force shall consist of the following members: 371
462	450		(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; 372
463	451		(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; 373
464	452		(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 374
465		-	Representatives; 375 Bill No. 421
	453	+	Representatives; 375
	454	+	(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; 376
	455	+	(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 377
	456	+	Representatives; 378 Raised Bill No. 421
466	457
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471	459
472		-	(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; 376
473		-	(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 377
474		-	Representatives; 378
	460	+	LCO No. 2733 13 of 17
	461	+
475	462		(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; 379
476	463		(7) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 380
477	464		or the commissioner's designee; and 381
478	465		(8) Two persons appointed by the Governor. 382
479	466		(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), 383
480	467		(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member 384
481	468		of the General Assembly. 385
482	469		(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later 386
483	470		than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall 387
484	471		be filled by the appointing authority. 388
485	472		(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro 389
486	473		tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from 390
487	474		among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule 391
488	475		the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty 392
489	476		days after the effective date of this section. 393
490	477		(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 394
491	478		General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety 395
492	479		and security shall serve as administrative staff of the task force. 396
493	480		(g) Not later than January 1, 2025, the task force shall submit a report 397
494	481		on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of 398
495	482		the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public 399
496	483		safety and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 400
497	484		of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it 401
498	485		submits such report or January 1, 2025, whichever is later. 402
499		-	Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this section, 403 Bill No. 421
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505		-
	486	+	Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this section, 403
506	487		"law enforcement unit" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-404
507	488		294a of the general statutes. 405
508	489		(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Department of 406
509		-	Emergency Services and Public Protection shall develop a pilot program 407
	490	+	Emergency Services and Public Protection shall develop a pilot program 407 Raised Bill No. 421
	491	+
	492	+
	493	+
	494	+	LCO No. 2733 14 of 17
	495	+
510	496		to provide law enforcement units with unmanned aerial vehicles to 408
511	497		respond to requests for service, assist such units in assessing the dangers 409
512	498		and needs at the scene where service is requested prior to the arrival of 410
513	499		a police officer and enhance the safety of police officers and the services 411
514	500		such units provide to the public. In identifying units for participation in 412
515	501		the pilot program, the department shall give priority to units that would 413
516	502		most benefit from such program, including those with reduced staffing 414
517	503		levels. 415
518	504		(c) Not later than October 1, 2024, the department shall (1) develop 416
519	505		eligibility criteria to be used in selecting among applicants for 417
520	506		participation in the pilot program, (2) develop application forms and 418
521	507		deadlines, (3) post in a conspicuous location on the department's 419
522	508		Internet web site a description of the pilot program that includes, but is 420
523	509		not limited to, such criteria, forms and deadlines, and (4) notify law 421
524	510		enforcement units of the opportunity to apply for participation in such 422
525	511		program. 423
526	512		(d) (1) Not later than January 1, 2026, each law enforcement unit 424
527	513		participating in the pilot program pursuant to subsection (b) of this 425
528	514		section shall submit a report to the department describing the unit's use 426
529	515		of unmanned aerial devices, their impact on the unit's ability to provide 427
530	516		services to the public and any recommendations for the continuation of 428
531	517		or improvements to such pilot program. 429
532	518		(2) Not later than July 1, 2026, the department shall submit a report, 430
533	519		in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 431
534	520		to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 432
535	521		cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such report 433
536	522		shall include (A) information on the law enforcement units that applied 434
537		-	for participation in the pilot program, which units were chosen for 435 Bill No. 421
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543		-
	523	+	for participation in the pilot program, which units were chosen for 435
544	524		participation and the reasons for choosing such units, (B) a summary of 436
545	525		the reports submitted by units pursuant to subdivision (1) of this 437
546	526		subsection and an analysis of the results of the pilot program, and (C) 438
547	527		recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the pilot 439
548		-	program, funding needs and any necessary legislation. 440
	528	+	program, funding needs and any necessary legislation. 440 Raised Bill No. 421
	529	+
	530	+
	531	+
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	533	+
549	534		Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this section, 441
550	535		"law enforcement unit" and "police officer" have the same meanings as 442
551	536		provided in section 7-294a of the general statutes. 443
552	537		(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Department of 444
553	538		Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, within available 445
554	539		appropriations, administer a pilot program to enhance programs and 446
555	540		initiatives that address the mental health needs of police officers at one 447
556	541		or more law enforcement units with more than three hundred police 448
557	542		officers. Such pilot program may include, but need not be limited to, the 449
558	543		development or enhancement of peer-to-peer support programs, 450
559	544		programs that train officers to help themselves and fellow officers deal 451
560	545		with mental health issues associated with their jobs, programs that 452
561	546		employ a psychologist or other mental health professionals within the 453
562	547		unit to assist officers with their mental health needs, employee 454
563	548		assistance programs and any other programs and resources that may 455
564	549		address the mental health needs of police officers. 456
565	550		(c) Not later than October 1, 2024, the department shall (1) develop 457
566	551		eligibility criteria to be used in selecting among applicants for such pilot 458
567	552		program, (2) develop application forms and deadlines, (3) post in a 459
568	553		conspicuous location on the department's Internet web site a description 460
569	554		of the pilot program that includes, but is not limited to, such criteria, 461
570	555		forms and deadlines, and (4) notify each law enforcement unit with 462
571	556		more than three hundred police officers of the opportunity to apply for 463
572	557		participation in such program. 464
573	558		(d) (1) Not later than January 1, 2026, each law enforcement unit 465
574	559		participating in the pilot program shall submit a report to the 466
575		-	department describing the programs, services and resources provided 467 Bill No. 421
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581		-
	560	+	department describing the programs, services and resources provided 467
582	561		pursuant to the pilot program and evaluating the impact of such 468
583	562		programs, services and resources on the mental health of the police 469
584	563		officers employed by such unit. In evaluating such impact, each unit 470
585	564		shall provide a recommendation as to whether such programs, services 471
586	565		or resources should be continued and whether any modifications could 472
587		-	improve the impact of such programs, services or resources on the 473
	566	+	improve the impact of such programs, services or resources on the 473 Raised Bill No. 421
	567	+
	568	+
	569	+
	570	+	LCO No. 2733 16 of 17
	571	+
588	572		mental health of police officers. 474
589	573		(2) Not later than July 1, 2026, the department shall submit a report, 475
590	574		in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 476
591	575		to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 477
592	576		cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such report 478
593	577		shall include (A) information on the number of applications for the pilot 479
594	578		program that were received and the law enforcement units chosen for 480
595	579		participation, (B) an analysis of the programs, services and resources 481
596	580		provided by units and their effectiveness in addressing the mental 482
597	581		health needs of officers, (C) a list of programs, services and resources 483
598	582		identified as best practices that could be implemented by units across 484
599	583		the state to address the mental health needs of officers, and (D) 485
600	584		recommendations regarding the pilot program under this section, 486
601	585		funding for specific programs, services and resources to address the 487
602	586		mental health needs of police officers and any necessary legislation. 488
603	587		Sec. 21. (Effective July 1, 2024) The sum of five hundred thousand 489
604	588		dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 490
605	589		Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 491
606	590		30, 2025, for the state-wide campaign developed pursuant to section 1 492
607	591		of this act. 493
608	592		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
609	593		sections:
610	594
611	595		Section 1 July 1, 2024 New section
612	596		Sec. 2 July 1, 2024 New section
613	597		Sec. 3 July 1, 2024 New section
614		-	Sec. 4 July 1, 2024 New section Bill No. 421
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620		-
	598	+	Sec. 4 July 1, 2024 New section
621	599		Sec. 5 July 1, 2024 7-294d(b)
622	600		Sec. 6 July 1, 2024 New section
623	601		Sec. 7 from passage New section
624	602		Sec. 8 from passage New section
625	603		Sec. 9 July 1, 2024 10a-77(d)
626	604		Sec. 10 July 1, 2024 10a-99(d)
627	605		Sec. 11 July 1, 2024 10a-105(e)
628		-	Sec. 12 July 1, 2024 New section
	606	+	Sec. 12 July 1, 2024 New section Raised Bill No. 421
	607	+
	608	+
	609	+
	610	+	LCO No. 2733 17 of 17
	611	+
629	612		Sec. 13 October 1, 2024, and
630	613		applicable to assessment
631	614		years commencing on or
632	615		after October 1, 2024
633	616		12-81(83)
634	617		Sec. 14 July 1, 2024 New section
635	618		Sec. 15 from passage New section
636	619		Sec. 16 from passage New section
637	620		Sec. 17 from passage New section
638	621		Sec. 18 from passage New section
639	622		Sec. 19 from passage New section
640	623		Sec. 20 from passage New section
641	624		Sec. 21 July 1, 2024 New section
642	625
643		-	PS Joint Favorable
644		-
	626	+	Statement of Purpose:
	627	+	To enhance recruitment and retention of police officers.
	628	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	629	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	630	+	underlined.]