Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01492 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
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2	2
3		-	LCO 1 of 17
	3	+	LCO No. 5639 1 of 17
4	4
5		-	General Assembly ~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 1492
	5	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1492
6	6		January Session, 2025
	7	+	LCO No. 5639
	8	+
	9	+
	10	+	Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
	11	+
	12	+
	13	+	Introduced by:
	14	+	(PS)
	15	+
7	16
8	17
9	18
10	19		AN ACT CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITMENT AND
11	20		RETENTION.
12	21		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
13	22		Assembly convened:
14	23
15	24		Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2025) Not later than January 1, 2026, the 1
16	25		Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall 2
17	26		consult with the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, institutions of 3
18	27		higher education in this state and any other entities the commissioner 4
19	28		deems appropriate to develop, coordinate and implement a plan to 5
20	29		promote the law enforcement profession. In implementing such plan, 6
21	30		the commissioner shall use a variety of media, including social media. 7
22	31		Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) The Department of Emergency 8
23	32		Services and Public Protection shall employ a full-time cadet or explorer 9
24	33		program coordinator, who shall coordinate and oversee police cadet or 10
25	34		explorer programs, implement state standards and a best practices 11
26	35		guide for such programs and encourage establishment and expansion 12
27	36		of such programs throughout the state. 13
28	37		(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and each fiscal year 14
29	38		thereafter, the department shall allocate five thousand dollars to each 15
	39	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	40	+
	41	+
	42	+
	43	+	LCO No. 5639 2 of 17
	44	+
30	45		municipal police department that operates, or plans to operate in the 16
31	46		following fiscal year, a cadet or explorer program. 17
32		-	Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 18 Substitute Bill No. 1492
33		-
34		-
35		-	LCO 2 of 17
36		-
	47	+	Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 18
37	48		2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Emergency 19
38	49		Services and Public Protection shall establish a grant program to 20
39	50		reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of basic training of 21
40	51		police officers. Not later than October 1, 2025, the department shall post 22
41	52		in a conspicuous place on the department's Internet web site a 23
42	53		description of the grant program, including, but not limited to, 24
43	54		eligibility criteria and the application process for the program. A 25
44	55		municipal police department shall apply for such grants on such forms 26
45	56		and in such manner as determined by the department. 27
46	57		Sec. 4. (Effective from passage) (a) For the purposes of this section, 28
47	58		"academy" and "basic training" have the same meanings as provided in 29
48	59		section 7-294a of the general statutes. 30
49	60		(b) The Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall examine 31
50	61		criminal justice courses offered by colleges and universities in the state, 32
51	62		and determine (1) whether any such courses are equivalent to courses 33
52	63		required as part of basic training at the academy, and (2) under what 34
53	64		conditions an individual attending the academy for basic training need 35
54	65		not complete a course at the academy because the individual completed 36
55	66		an equivalent course at a college or university in the state. Not later than 37
56	67		January 1, 2026, the council shall submit a report of such examination 38
57	68		and determination, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of 39
58	69		the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General 40
59	70		Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and 41
60	71		security. 42
61	72		(c) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Police Officer Standards and 43
62	73		Training Council shall establish a pilot program with the University of 44
63	74		New Haven to permit an individual who attends the academy for basic 45
64	75		training to complete such training by taking (1) courses related to legal 46
	76	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	77	+
	78	+
	79	+
	80	+	LCO No. 5639 3 of 17
	81	+
65	82		issues at such university, and (2) the remaining courses at the academy. 47
66	83		Not later than January 1, 2027, the council shall submit a report, in 48
67	84		accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 49
68	85		to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 50
69		-	cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such report 51 Substitute Bill No. 1492
70		-
71		-
72		-	LCO 3 of 17
73		-
	86	+	cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such report 51
74	87		shall include (A) a description of the pilot program; (B) an analysis of 52
75	88		the impact of such program on police recruitment and training 53
76	89		procedures and resources; and (C) recommendations on whether to 54
77	90		terminate, continue, revise or expand such program. 55
78	91		Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 7-294d of the general statutes is 56
79	92		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 57
80	93		2025): 58
81	94		(b) (1) No person may be employed as a police officer by any law 59
82	95		enforcement unit for a period exceeding one year unless such person 60
83	96		has been certified under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section 61
84	97		or has been granted an extension by the council. No person may serve 62
85	98		as a police officer during any period when such person's certification 63
86	99		has been cancelled or revoked pursuant to the provisions of subsection 64
87	100		(c) of this section. In addition to the requirements of this subsection, the 65
88	101		council may establish other qualifications for the employment of police 66
89	102		officers and require evidence of fulfillment of these qualifications. No 67
90	103		law enforcement unit shall deny employment as a police officer to a 68
91	104		prospective employee, and the council shall not deny certification under 69
92	105		the provisions of subsection (a) of this section to an individual, solely on 70
93	106		the basis of such prospective employee's or such individual's status as a 71
94	107		noncitizen of the United States, provided such prospective employee or 72
95	108		such individual is lawfully admitted for permanent residence of the 73
96	109		United States under federal law and regulations. 74
97	110		(2) The certification of any police officer who is not employed by a 75
98	111		law enforcement unit for a period of time in excess of two years, unless 76
99	112		such officer is on leave of absence, shall be considered lapsed. Upon 77
100	113		reemployment as a police officer, such officer shall apply for 78
	114	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	115	+
	116	+
	117	+
	118	+	LCO No. 5639 4 of 17
	119	+
101	120		recertification in a manner provided by the council, provided such 79
102	121		recertification process requires the police officer to submit to a urinalysis 80
103	122		drug test that screens for controlled substances, including, but not 81
104	123		limited to, anabolic steroids, and receive a result indicating no presence 82
105	124		of any controlled substance not prescribed for the officer. The council 83
106		-	shall certify any applicant who presents evidence of satisfactory 84 Substitute Bill No. 1492
107		-
108		-
109		-	LCO 4 of 17
110		-
	125	+	shall certify any applicant who presents evidence of satisfactory 84
111	126		completion of a program or course of instruction in another state or, if 85
112	127		the applicant is a veteran or a member of the armed forces or the 86
113	128		National Guard, as part of training during service in the armed forces, 87
114	129		that is equivalent in content and quality to that required in this state, 88
115	130		provided such applicant passes an examination or evaluation as 89
116	131		required by the council. For the purposes of this section, "veteran" and 90
117	132		"armed forces" have the same meanings as provided in section 27-103. 91
118	133		Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 92
119	134		2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Emergency 93
120	135		Services and Public Protection shall provide a grant to each of the top 94
121	136		ten most populous municipalities in the state in order to increase the 95
122	137		salaries of police officers serving such municipalities. A municipality 96
123	138		receiving such a grant shall not use the grant for any purpose other than 97
124	139		increasing the salaries of such officers. 98
125	140		Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2026, 99
126	141		the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the 100
127	142		Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a 101
128	143		report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 102
129	144		statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 103
130	145		having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such 104
131	146		report shall include recommendations for a schedule of bonuses to be 105
132	147		awarded to individuals upon entering service as a police officer, as 106
133	148		defined in section 7-294a of the general statutes, and to be awarded to 107
134	149		such officers based on years of service, in order to encourage individuals 108
135	150		to begin and continue careers as police officers. The department and 109
136	151		council may consult with chiefs of municipal police departments and 110
137	152		any other individuals or entities in developing such recommendations. 111
	153	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	154	+
	155	+
	156	+
	157	+	LCO No. 5639 5 of 17
	158	+
138	159		Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, 112
139	160		the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of The 113
140	161		University of Connecticut and the Police Officer Standards and Training 114
141	162		Council shall jointly develop a career pathway to assist police officers in 115
142	163		obtaining higher education degrees. Such pathway shall include a 116
143		-	schedule of credits that officers may receive at each constituent unit of 117 Substitute Bill No. 1492
144		-
145		-
146		-	LCO 5 of 17
147		-
	164	+	schedule of credits that officers may receive at each constituent unit of 117
148	165		higher education, as defined in section 10a-1 of the general statutes, for 118
149	166		the training such officers received in order to be certified, and maintain 119
150	167		their certification, as police officers pursuant to section 7-294d of the 120
151	168		general statutes, as amended by this act. Such boards and council shall 121
152	169		promote such pathway in order to encourage police officers to earn 122
153	170		higher education degrees. 123
154	171		(b) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Board of Regents for Higher 124
155	172		Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and 125
156	173		the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a 126
157	174		report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 127
158	175		statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 128
159	176		having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such 129
160	177		report shall include the pathway and schedule developed pursuant to 130
161	178		subsection (a) of this section and a description of plans to promote such 131
162	179		pathway. 132
163	180		Sec. 9. Subsection (d) of section 10a-77 of the general statutes is 133
164	181		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 134
165	182		2025): 135
166	183		(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any of 136
167	184		the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child 137
168	185		of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to 138
169	186		be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in 139
170	187		such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted 140
171	188		for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time 141
172	189		such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the 142
173	190		provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in 143
	191	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	192	+
	193	+
	194	+
	195	+	LCO No. 5639 6 of 17
	196	+
174	197		section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in 144
175	198		section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in 145
176	199		time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military 146
177	200		service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such 147
178	201		institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is 148
179	202		accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the 149
180		-	state sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular 150 Substitute Bill No. 1492
181		-
182		-
183		-	LCO 6 of 17
184		-
	203	+	state sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular 150
185	204		registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number 151
186	205		of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to 152
187	206		this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to 153
188	207		enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating 154
189	208		all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State 155
190	209		Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said 156
191	210		academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical 157
192	211		college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active 158
193	212		member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has 159
194	213		been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's 160
195	214		designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled 161
196	215		or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time 162
197	216		basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any 163
198	217		dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or 164
199	218		supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in 165
200	219		section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 166
201	220		employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 167
202	221		the line of duty, (7) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child 168
203	222		or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of 169
204	223		this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was 170
205	224		killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 171
206	225		10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of 172
207	226		the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who 173
208	227		was killed in action while performing active military duty with the 174
209	228		armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and 175
210	229		who was a resident of this state, (10) for a police officer, as defined in 176
211	230		section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for 177
	231	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	232	+
	233	+
	234	+
	235	+	LCO No. 5639 7 of 17
	236	+
212	237		not less than two years, and (11) for any dependent child of a police 178
213	238		officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an 179
214	239		officer in the state for not less than five years. If any person who receives 180
215	240		a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also 181
216	241		receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver 182
217	242		shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. 183
218	243		Veterans and members of the National Guard described in subdivision 184
219		-	(5) of this subsection shall be given the same status as students not 185 Substitute Bill No. 1492
220		-
221		-
222		-	LCO 7 of 17
223		-
	244	+	(5) of this subsection shall be given the same status as students not 185
224	245		receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses at regional 186
225	246		community-technical colleges. Notwithstanding the provisions of 187
226	247		section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" 188
227	248		includes domicile for less than one year. 189
228	249		Sec. 10. Subsection (d) of section 10a-99 of the general statutes is 190
229	250		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 191
230	251		2025): 192
231	252		(d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees for 193
232	253		undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Connecticut State 194
233	254		University System (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the 195
234	255		armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or 196
235	256		to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after 197
236	257		January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such 198
237	258		institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted 199
238	259		for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of 200
239	260		subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-201
240	261		103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, 202
241	262		except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall 203
242	263		not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, 204
243	264		which veteran has been accepted for admission to such institution and 205
244	265		is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for 206
245	266		admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two 207
246	267		years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such 208
247	268		institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting 209
248	269		program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are 210
	270	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	271	+
	272	+
	273	+
	274	+	LCO No. 5639 8 of 17
	275	+
249	276		enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those 211
250	277		residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the 212
251	278		course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space 213
252	279		available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for 214
253	280		any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled 215
254	281		in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination 216
255	282		with the university which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) 217
256	283		for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard 218
257		-	who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant 219 Substitute Bill No. 1492
258		-
259		-
260		-	LCO 8 of 17
261		-
	284	+	who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant 219
262	285		General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) 220
263	286		is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time 221
264	287		or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting 222
265	288		program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined 223
266	289		in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) 224
267	290		firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire 225
268	291		company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in 226
269	292		section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state 227
270	293		who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist 228
271	294		victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a 229
272	295		resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the 230
273	296		intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, 231
274	297		[and] (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or 232
275	298		surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing 233
276	299		active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or 234
277	300		after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (10) for a 235
278	301		police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as 236
279	302		such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (11) for any 237
280	303		dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has 238
281	304		been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years. 239
282	305		If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the 240
283	306		provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement 241
284	307		from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such 242
285	308		educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National 243
286	309		Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the 244
	310	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	311	+
	312	+
	313	+
	314	+	LCO No. 5639 9 of 17
	315	+
287	316		same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for 245
288	317		courses at Connecticut state universities. Notwithstanding the 246
289	318		provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in 247
290	319		this state" includes domicile for less than one year. 248
291	320		Sec. 11. Subsection (e) of section 10a-105 of the general statutes is 249
292	321		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 250
293	322		2025): 251
294	323		(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees for 252
295		-	any undergraduate or graduate degree program at The University of 253 Substitute Bill No. 1492
296		-
297		-
298		-	LCO 9 of 17
299		-
	324	+	any undergraduate or graduate degree program at The University of 253
300	325		Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed 254
301	326		forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have 255
302	327		been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 256
303	328		1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to The University 257
304	329		of Connecticut and is a resident of the state at the time such child is 258
305	330		accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the provisions 259
306	331		of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-260
307	332		103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, 261
308	333		except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall 262
309	334		not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, 263
310	335		which veteran has been accepted for admission to said institution and is 264
311	336		domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission 265
312	337		to said institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age 266
313	338		or older who has been accepted for admission to said institution, 267
314	339		provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or 268
315	340		(B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the 269
316	341		course a sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible 270
317	342		for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which 271
318	343		such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such 272
319	344		course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any active member 273
320	345		of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been 274
321	346		certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee 275
322	347		as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or 276
323	348		accepted for admission to said institution on a full-time or part-time 277
	349	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	350	+
	351	+
	352	+
	353	+	LCO No. 5639 10 of 17
	354	+
324	355		basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (5) for 278
325	356		any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, 279
326	357		or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined 280
327	358		in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 281
328	359		employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 282
329	360		the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state who is the dependent 283
330	361		child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a 284
331	362		resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a resident of the state 285
332	363		who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of 286
333	364		Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (8) for 287
334		-	any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse 288 Substitute Bill No. 1492
335		-
336		-
337		-	LCO 10 of 17
338		-
	365	+	any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse 288
339	366		of a person who was killed in action while performing active military 289
340	367		duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 290
341	368		11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (9) for a police officer, as 291
342	369		defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in 292
343	370		the state for not less than two years, and (10) for any dependent child of 293
344	371		a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as 294
345	372		such an officer in the state for not less than five years. If any person who 295
346	373		receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this 296
347	374		subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, 297
348	375		such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational 298
349	376		reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National Guard 299
350	377		described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be given the same 300
351	378		status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses 301
352	379		at The University of Connecticut. Notwithstanding the provisions of 302
353	380		section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" 303
354	381		includes domicile for less than one year. 304
355	382		Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) For the fiscal year ending 305
356	383		June 30, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Office of Higher 306
357	384		Education, in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Services 307
358	385		and Public Protection, shall administer a police officer loan 308
359	386		reimbursement grant program for individuals who have been employed 309
360	387		as a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a of the general statutes, in 310
	388	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	389	+
	390	+
	391	+
	392	+	LCO No. 5639 11 of 17
	393	+
361	394		the state for not less than ten years. 311
362	395		(b) Any individual who satisfies the eligibility requirements 312
363	396		prescribed by the office may receive an annual grant for reimbursement 313
364	397		of federal or state educational loans (1) in an amount up to ten per cent 314
365	398		of such individual's federal or state educational loans but not exceeding 315
366	399		five thousand dollars in any year, and (2) for a period not to exceed ten 316
367	400		years. Such individual shall only be reimbursed for loan payments made 317
368	401		while such person is employed as a police officer in the state. 318
369	402		(c) Individuals may apply to the Office of Higher Education for grants 319
370		-	under this section at such time and in such manner as the Commissioner 320
371		-	of Higher Education prescribes. 321 Substitute Bill No. 1492
372		-
373		-
374		-	LCO 11 of 17
375		-
	403	+	under this section at such time and in such manner as the executive 320
	404	+	director of the Office of Higher Education prescribes. 321
376	405		(d) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section 322
377	406		shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be available for 323
378	407		expenditure during the next fiscal year. 324
379	408		(e) The Office of Higher Education may accept gifts, grants and 325
380	409		donations, from any source, public or private, for the police officer loan 326
381	410		reimbursement grant program. 327
382	411		Sec. 13. Section 12-81 of the general statutes is amended by adding 328
383	412		subdivision (84) as follows (Effective October 1, 2025, and applicable to 329
384	413		assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2025): 330
385	414		(NEW) (84) Property to the amount of ten thousand dollars belonging 331
386	415		to, or held in trust for, any resident of this state who is a police officer, 332
387	416		as defined in section 7-294a, and resides in a distressed municipality, as 333
388	417		defined in section 32-9p. 334
389	418		Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) The Connecticut Housing 335
390	419		Finance Authority shall enhance assistance available to police officers 336
391	420		who seek to purchase a house as such officer's principal residence in the 337
392	421		community served by such officer. Such assistance shall prioritize first-338
393	422		time homebuyers and include mortgage assistance, down payment 339
	423	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	424	+
	425	+
	426	+
	427	+	LCO No. 5639 12 of 17
	428	+
394	429		assistance or any other appropriate housing subsidies. The terms of any 340
395	430		mortgage assistance shall allow the mortgagee to realize a reasonable 341
396	431		portion of the equity gain upon sale of the mortgaged property. 342
397	432		Sec. 15. (Effective from passage) The State Retirement Commission shall 343
398	433		(1) study deferred retirement option plans and make recommendations 344
399	434		for development of such a plan that (A) is administered by the state, and 345
400	435		(B) permits any police officer, as defined in section 7-294a of the general 346
401	436		statutes, in the state to participate in the plan, and (2) study the types 347
402	437		and levels of retirement medical benefits provided to such officers and 348
403	438		the spouses of such officers in the state and make recommendations 349
404	439		regarding the provision of such benefits. The commission may consult 350
405	440		with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 351
406	441		municipal police departments and any other entities the commission 352
407		-	deems appropriate. Not later than January 1, 2026, the commission shall 353 Substitute Bill No. 1492
408		-
409		-
410		-	LCO 12 of 17
411		-
	442	+	deems appropriate. Not later than January 1, 2026, the commission shall 353
412	443		report the results of such studies and any recommendations, in 354
413	444		accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 355
414	445		to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 356
415	446		cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. 357
416	447		Sec. 16. (Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2025, the 358
417	448		Governor shall enter into negotiations with the employee organization 359
418	449		that is the representative of state police officers to seek amendments to 360
419	450		any collective bargaining agreement to establish conditions under 361
420	451		which a state police officer who retired from service as such an officer 362
421	452		may return to such service and (1) resume earning credit toward 363
422	453		retirement benefits, in the same manner as such officer earned such 364
423	454		credit prior to such officer's retirement, and (2) be eligible for earning 365
424	455		the same benefits as such officer was eligible for prior to such officer's 366
425	456		retirement. 367
426	457		Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Each collective bargaining 368
427	458		agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2025, or amended on or after 369
428	459		July 1, 2025, between a municipality and an employee organization that 370
429	460		is the representative of police officers in the municipality shall permit 371
	461	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	462	+
	463	+
	464	+
	465	+	LCO No. 5639 13 of 17
	466	+
430	467		police officers who retire and remain certified by the Police Officer 372
431	468		Standards and Training Council pursuant to section 7-294d of the 373
432	469		general statutes, as amended by this act, to return to part-time or full-374
433	470		time employment as a police officer with the municipality while 375
434	471		collecting such officer's pension, to the maximum extent permissible 376
435	472		under state and federal law and regulations. 377
436	473		Sec. 18. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to 378
437	474		study the volunteer police auxiliary force authorized under section 29-379
438	475		22 of the general statutes and make recommendations for improving the 380
439	476		organization of such auxiliary force and maximizing the services that 381
440	477		may be provided by auxiliary state police and municipal police officers. 382
441	478		(b) The task force shall consist of the following members: 383
442		-	(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; 384 Substitute Bill No. 1492
443		-
444		-
445		-	LCO 13 of 17
446		-
	479	+	(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; 384
447	480		(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; 385
448	481		(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 386
449	482		Representatives; 387
450	483		(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; 388
451	484		(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 389
452	485		Representatives; 390
453	486		(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; 391
454	487		(7) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 392
455	488		or the commissioner's designee; and 393
456	489		(8) Two persons appointed by the Governor. 394
457	490		(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), 395
458	491		(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member 396
459	492		of the General Assembly. 397
	493	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	494	+
	495	+
	496	+
	497	+	LCO No. 5639 14 of 17
	498	+
460	499		(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later 398
461	500		than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall 399
462	501		be filled by the appointing authority. 400
463	502		(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro 401
464	503		tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from 402
465	504		among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule 403
466	505		the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty 404
467	506		days after the effective date of this section. 405
468	507		(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 406
469	508		General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety 407
470	509		and security shall serve as administrative staff of the task force. 408
471	510		(g) Not later than January 1, 2026, the task force shall submit a report 409
472	511		on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of 410
473	512		the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public 411
474		-	safety and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 412 Substitute Bill No. 1492
475		-
476		-
477		-	LCO 14 of 17
478		-
	513	+	safety and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 412
479	514		of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it 413
480	515		submits such report or January 1, 2026, whichever is later. 414
481	516		Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this section, 415
482	517		"law enforcement unit" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-416
483	518		294a of the general statutes. 417
484	519		(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the Department of 418
485	520		Emergency Services and Public Protection shall develop a pilot program 419
486	521		to provide law enforcement units with unmanned aerial vehicles to 420
487	522		respond to requests for service, assist such units in assessing the dangers 421
488	523		and needs at the scene where service is requested prior to the arrival of 422
489	524		a police officer and enhance the safety of police officers and the services 423
490	525		such units provide to the public. In identifying units for participation in 424
491	526		the pilot program, the department shall give priority to units that would 425
492	527		most benefit from such program, including those with reduced staffing 426
493	528		levels. 427
	529	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	530	+
	531	+
	532	+
	533	+	LCO No. 5639 15 of 17
	534	+
494	535		(c) Not later than October 1, 2025, the department shall (1) develop 428
495	536		eligibility criteria to be used in selecting among applicants for 429
496	537		participation in the pilot program, (2) develop application forms and 430
497	538		deadlines, (3) post in a conspicuous location on the department's 431
498	539		Internet web site a description of the pilot program that includes, but is 432
499	540		not limited to, such criteria, forms and deadlines, and (4) notify law 433
500	541		enforcement units of the opportunity to apply for participation in such 434
501	542		program. 435
502	543		(d) (1) Not later than January 1, 2027, each law enforcement unit 436
503	544		participating in the pilot program pursuant to subsection (b) of this 437
504	545		section shall submit a report to the department describing the unit's use 438
505	546		of unmanned aerial devices, their impact on the unit's ability to provide 439
506	547		services to the public and any recommendations for the continuation of 440
507	548		or improvements to such pilot program. 441
508	549		(2) Not later than July 1, 2027, the department shall submit a report, 442
509	550		in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 443
510		-	to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 444 Substitute Bill No. 1492
511		-
512		-
513		-	LCO 15 of 17
514		-
	551	+	to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 444
515	552		cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such report 445
516	553		shall include (A) information on the law enforcement units that applied 446
517	554		for participation in the pilot program, which units were chosen for 447
518	555		participation and the reasons for choosing such units, (B) a summary of 448
519	556		the reports submitted by units pursuant to subdivision (1) of this 449
520	557		subsection and an analysis of the results of the pilot program, and (C) 450
521	558		recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the pilot 451
522	559		program, funding needs and any necessary legislation. 452
523	560		Sec. 20. (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this section, "law 453
524	561		enforcement unit" and "police officer" have the same meanings as 454
525	562		provided in section 7-294a of the general statutes. 455
526	563		(b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection 456
527	564		shall investigate ways to develop and enhance programs and initiatives 457
528	565		that address the mental health needs of police officers. Such 458
	566	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	567	+
	568	+
	569	+
	570	+	LCO No. 5639 16 of 17
	571	+
529	572		investigation shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination 459
530	573		of peer-to-peer support programs, programs that train officers to help 460
531	574		themselves and fellow officers deal with mental health issues associated 461
532	575		with their jobs, programs that employ a psychologist or other mental 462
533	576		health professionals within a unit to assist officers with their mental 463
534	577		health needs, employee assistance programs and any other programs 464
535	578		and resources that may address the mental health needs of police 465
536	579		officers. In conducting such investigation, the department shall consult 466
537	580		with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the 467
538	581		Police Officer Standards and Training Council, the Connecticut Police 468
539	582		Chiefs Association, law enforcement units throughout the state, 469
540	583		employee organizations that represent police officers and any other 470
541	584		entities the commissioner deems appropriate. 471
542	585		(c) Not later than January 1, 2026, the commissioner shall submit a 472
543	586		report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 473
544	587		statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 474
545	588		having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such 475
546	589		report shall include the results of such investigation, a list of programs, 476
547		-	services and resources identified as best practices that could be 477 Substitute Bill No. 1492
548		-
549		-
550		-	LCO 16 of 17
551		-
	590	+	services and resources identified as best practices that could be 477
552	591		implemented by units across the state to address the mental health 478
553	592		needs of officers and any recommendations for legislation. 479
554	593		Sec. 21. (Effective July 1, 2025) The sum of five hundred thousand 480
555	594		dollars is appropriated to the Department of Emergency Services and 481
556	595		Public Protection from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 482
557		-	30, 2026, for the ~~plan developed, coordinated and~~ implemented 483
558		-	~~pursuant to section~~ 1 of this act. 484
	596	+	30, 2026, for the state-wide campaign implemented pursuant to section 483
	597	+	1 of this act. 484
559	598		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
560	599		sections:
561	600
562	601		Section 1 July 1, 2025 New section
563	602		Sec. 2 July 1, 2025 New section
564	603		Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 New section
565	604		Sec. 4 from passage New section
	605	+	Raised Bill No. 1492
	606	+
	607	+
	608	+
	609	+	LCO No. 5639 17 of 17
	610	+
566	611		Sec. 5 July 1, 2025 7-294d(b)
567	612		Sec. 6 July 1, 2025 New section
568	613		Sec. 7 from passage New section
569	614		Sec. 8 from passage New section
570	615		Sec. 9 July 1, 2025 10a-77(d)
571	616		Sec. 10 July 1, 2025 10a-99(d)
572	617		Sec. 11 July 1, 2025 10a-105(e)
573	618		Sec. 12 July 1, 2025 New section
574	619		Sec. 13 October 1, 2025, and
575	620		applicable to assessment
576	621		years commencing on or
577	622		after October 1, 2025
578	623		12-81(84)
579	624		Sec. 14 July 1, 2025 New section
580	625		Sec. 15 from passage New section
581	626		Sec. 16 from passage New section
582	627		Sec. 17 from passage New section
583	628		Sec. 18 from passage New section
584	629		Sec. 19 from passage New section
585	630		Sec. 20 from passage New section
586	631		Sec. 21 July 1, 2025 New section
587	632
588		-	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
589		-	In Section 12(c), "executive director of the Office" was changed to
590		-	"Commissioner" for consistency with the general statutes; and in Substitute Bill No. 1492
	633	+	Statement of Purpose:
	634	+	To enhance recruitment and retention of police officers.
591	635
592		-
593		-	LCO 17 of 17
594		-
595		-	Section 21, "state-wide campaign implemented" was changed to "plan
596		-	developed, coordinated and implemented" for consistency with the
597		-	provisions of Section 1.
598		-
599		-	PS Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO
	636	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	637	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	638	+	underlined.]
600	639