Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 D · 4 R cosponsors

HB 5460 — AN ACT CONCERNING STATE-WIDE FIRE PROTECTION.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 04, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on June 04, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    10 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 D · 4 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill establishes a comprehensive state-wide fire protection program.

The bill creates a state-wide program focused on enhancing fire protection services. This includes various measures aimed at improving the effectiveness and coordination of fire prevention and response efforts.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This could lead to improved safety standards and training for workers in fire-prone areas.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

555 added · 600 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised version of Bill HB 5460 introduces clearer definitions and responsibilities regarding fire protection entities. Changes include specifying that these entities must register with their respective municipalities and provide demographic and contact information, rather than having municipalities manage all registrations themselves. This shift is important because it empowers local fire protection services to maintain their own data, potentially improving emergency response and resource management in communities. Additionally, it eliminates the previous requirement for municipalities to maintain a centralized system, reducing administrative burdens on local governments.

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General Assembly Substitute Bill No.
Substitute House Bill No.
5460 February Session, 2026 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE-WIDE FIRE PROTECTION.
5460 Public Act No.
26-144 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE-WIDE FIRE PROTECTION.
and (4) "Subdivision or district" includes any entity or subdivision of a municipality with a responsibility for fire protection services pursuant to statute, charter or ordinance.
(4) "District or subdivision" includes any entity or subdivision of a municipality with a responsibility for fire protection services pursuant to statute, charter or ordinance;
(b) On or before July 1, 2027, each municipality shall register each entity responsible for providing fire protection services within all of the geographic areas of the municipality in the National Emergency Response Information System and enter into said system the demographic and contact information related to such entities.
and (5) "National Emergency Response Information System" means the national data system developed or designated by the United States Fire Administration, or its successor system, for the collection, reporting and analysis of fire and emergency incident data.
The municipality shall accurately maintain such demographic and contact information and shall review such demographic and contact LCO 1 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
Substitute House Bill No.
5460 information not less than annually.
5460 (b) On or before July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, each fire protection entity responsible for providing fire protection services within one or more of the geographic areas of a municipality shall register with such municipality.
(c) On or before July 1, 2027, each municipality shall establish a local fire protection plan and submit such plan to the State Fire Administrator.
Such registration shall include, but need not be limited to, the demographic information of the geographic area served by suchentity andthename andcontact informationofsuch entity.
Such entity shall file amendments to the registration reporting any material change to the information contained in such registration not later than thirty days after the entity knows or should know of such material change.
(c) Each municipality shall enter such registration and the demographic and contact information related to such entities in the National Emergency Response Information System.
The municipality shall maintain and review such demographic and contact information not less than annually.
(d) On or before July 1, 2027, each municipality shall establish a local fire protection plan and submit such plan to the chief elected officer, legislative body and emergency management director of such municipality.
Each municipality may submit such plan to the State Fire Administrator, unless the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control requires the submission of such plan to the State Fire Administrator pursuanttosubsection(b)ofsection7-323l,inwhichcase suchplanshall be submitted in the form and manner specified by the commission.
(2) A disclosure of the subdivisions or districts responsible for fire protection services throughout all geographic areas within the municipality;
(2) A disclosure of the districts or subdivisions responsible for fire protection services throughout all geographic areas within the municipality;
(3)The name ofeach fire protectionentity responsiblefor theprimary response by the municipality to the need for fire protection services;
Public Act No.
26-144 2 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 (3) The name of each fire protection entity responsible for providing fire protection services within one or more of the geographic areas of such municipality;
(6)Thenameoftheperson,including,butnotlimitedto,thefirechief, responsible for each fire protection services entity that provides fire protection services to the municipality;
(6)Thenameoftheperson,including,butnotlimitedto,thefirechief, responsible for each fire protection entity that provides fire protection services to the municipality;
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(e) If, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of section 7-323l of the general statutes, as amended by this act, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control establishes a standardized protocol, the State Fire Administrator shall, not less than once every five years, review and assign a rating to each local fire protection plan submitted to the State Fire Administrator pursuant to subsection (c) of this section in accordance with such standardized protocol.
5460 (d) The State Fire Administrator shall review and assign a rating to each local fire protection plan in accordance with the standardized protocol established by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control pursuant to section 7-323l of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
The State Fire Administrator (1) may require any municipality whose local fire Public Act No.
The State Fire Administrator (1) may require any municipality whose local fire protection plan is assigned an unsatisfactory rating to submitaperformanceimprovementplannotlaterthanninetydaysafter the assignment of such unsatisfactory rating, and (2) shall assist the municipality with the development of such performance improvement plan.
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(e) Each municipality shall review and revise its local fire protection plan at least once every five years and communicate any substantial changes to such plan to the State Fire Administrator.
5460 protection plan is assigned an unsatisfactory rating to submit a performance improvement plan not later than ninety days after the assignment of such unsatisfactory rating, and (2) shall assist such municipality with the development of such performance improvement plan.
(f) On and after July 1, 2032, and every five years thereafter, each municipality shall review, and revise as needed, its local fire protection plan and may communicate any substantial changes to such plan to the State Fire Administrator.
Such standards and protocols shall address, but not be limited to, operational safety strategies used during fire suppression operations, hazardous materials mitigation and technical rescue operations and methods for ensuring the health and wellness of fire service personnel;
Such standards and protocols shall address, but need not be limited to, operational safety strategies used during fire suppression operations, hazardous materials mitigation and technical rescue operations and methods for ensuring the health and wellness of fire service personnel;
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[(3)] (4) Establish an optional fire service training and education program that provides information relative to the blue envelopes Public Act No.
5460 [(3)] (4) Establish an optional fire service training and education program that provides information relative to the blue envelopes designed pursuant to section 14-11j and yellow envelopes designed pursuant to section 14-11l and techniques for the handling of incidents, such as wandering, that involve juveniles and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment or nonverbal learning disorder, providedthecurriculum for suchtechniquesismadeavailable at no cost from (A) institutions of higher education, health care professionals or advocacy organizations that are concerned with juveniles and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment or nonverballearning disorder,or (B)collaborationsofsuch institutions, professionals or organizations;
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5460 designed pursuant to section 14-11j and yellow envelopes designed pursuant to section 14-11l and techniques for the handling of incidents, such as wandering, that involve juveniles and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment or nonverbal learning disorder, providedthecurriculum for suchtechniquesismadeavailable at no cost from (A) institutions of higher education, health care professionals or advocacy organizations that are concerned with juveniles and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment or nonverballearning disorder,or (B)collaborationsofsuch institutions, professionals or organizations;
[(9)] (10) Implement the recommendations of the study of the fire service authorized pursuant to subdivision (36) of subsection (b) of LCO 4 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
[(9)] (10) Implement the recommendations of the study of the fire service authorized pursuant to subdivision (36) of subsection (b) of Public Act No.
26-144 5 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
[and] (11) Establish, in coordination with the State Fire Administrator, a standardized classification system that evaluates and grades the operationalperformance ofthefire protectionservicesprovidedby each municipality or fire district with primary responsibility for such fire protection services.
and [(10)](11)Submit to theGovernor,thejoint standing committee ofthe GeneralAssemblyhavingcognizanceofmattersrelatingtopublicsafety and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection an annual report (A) relating to the activities, recommendations and accomplishments of the commission, and (B) making recommendations on the funding necessary for the operation of, the maintenance of and capital improvements to the state fire school and regional fire schools.
In establishing such system, the commission shall consider nationally recognized standards, including, but not limited to, standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the Center for Public Safety Excellence;
(b) The commission may:
(12) Not later than January 1, 2028, develop a standardized protocol for the submission of operational data by each fire protection entity in the state, and submit such protocol to the State Fire Administrator for adoption;
(1) [recommend] Recommend, and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may adopt, regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 as necessary to implement the provisions of this section;
(13) Not less than once every five years, establish, in coordination with the State Fire Administrator, a standardized protocol by which the State Fire Administrator shall review local fire protection plans established and submitted pursuant to section 1 of this act and assign a rating to each such local fire protection plan;
(2) Require municipalities to submit local fire protection plans, and any revisions to such plans, to the State Fire Administrator;
and [(10)](14)Submit to theGovernor,thejoint standing committee ofthe GeneralAssemblyhavingcognizanceofmattersrelatingtopublicsafety and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection an annual report (A) relating to the activities,recommendations and accomplishments of the commission, and (B) making recommendations on the funding necessary for the operation of, the maintenance of and capital improvements to the state fire school and regional fire schools.
(3) Establish, in coordination with the State Fire Administrator, a (A) standardized protocol by which the State Fire Administrator shall review, not less than once every five years, local fire protection plans and assign a rating to such plan based on such standardized protocol, and (B) standardized classification system by which the State Fire Administrator may evaluate and grade the operational performance of thefireprotectionservicesprovidedbyeachmunicipalityorfiredistrict.
(b) The commission may recommend, and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may adopt, regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
In establishing such standardized classification system, the commission shall consider nationally recognized standards, including, but not limited to, standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the Center for Public Safety Excellence;
and (4) Require the submission of operational data by each fire protection entity in the state and specify the form and manner of such submission.
Public Act No.
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5460 The commissioner shall submit such requirement to the State Fire Administrator for adoption.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) Notwithstanding any LCO 5 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) (a) As used in this section, "municipality" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-148 of the general statutes.
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5460 provision of the general statutes or the provisions of any special act, municipalcharter or home rule ordinance, eachmunicipality,asdefined in section 7-148 of the general statutes, shall exercise its power granted pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of section 7-148 of the general statutes to provide for fire protection, organize, maintain and regulate the persons providing fire protection, provide the necessary apparatus for extinguishing fires and do all other things necessary or desirable for the protection of the municipality from fire, including, but not limited to, providing the facilities necessary for the municipality's fire protection services.
(b) In the event fire protection services in a municipality are discontinued or interrupted, including, but not limited to, the dissolutionor cessationofoperationsofany fire department,fire district or fire company, the municipality shall take such actions as necessary to ensure the continuation and uninterrupted provision of fire protection services within its territorial limits, except as otherwise provided by special act or municipal charter.
Such actions may include, but need not be limited to, the establishment or operation of a municipal fire department, the entering into of contracts or agreements for fire protection services, the designation of a temporary or permanent provider or participation in a mutual aid or regional fire service arrangement.
Section 7-323o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section and sections 5 and 6 of this act:
(a) (1) There is established the position of State Fire Administrator.
(1) "Fire protection" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this act;
Prior to July 1, 2025, the State Fire Administrator shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and beappointedby the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Upon a vacancy in the position of State Fire Administrator occurring on or after July 1, 2025, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control may recommend candidates for the position of State Fire Administrator to the commissioner, and the commissioner shall appoint such State Fire Administrator, who shall be qualified for the position by at least five years of experience in the fire service.
(2) There is established the position of Deputy State Fire Administrator.
The Deputy State Fire Administrator shall report to the State Fire Administrator.
The Commission on Fire Prevention and Control may recommend candidates for the position of Deputy State Fire Administrator to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and the commissioner shall appoint such Deputy State Fire Administrator, who shall be qualified for the position by at least five years of experience in the fire service.
(b) The Division of Fire Services Administration shall:
(1) Administer federal funds and grants allocated to the fire services LCO 6 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5460 of the state;
(2) Provide technical assistance and guidance to fire fighting forces of any state or municipal agency;
(3) Develop a centralized information and audiovisual library regarding fire prevention and control;
(4) Accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire prevention data;
(5)Recommend specificationsoffireservicematerialsandequipment and assist in the purchasing thereof;
(6) Assist in mutual aid coordination;
(7) Coordinate fire programs with those of the other states;
(8) Assist in communications coordination;
(9) Establish and maintain a fire service information program;
(10)Reviewandapprove thepurchase offireapparatusorequipment at state institutions, facilities and properties;
(11) Recommend and providereports on revisions to statutes relating to firefighter training and fire prevention and control;
(12) Advise and assist the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control regarding legislative proposals;
(13) Encourage the expansion and improvement of existing regional firefighter training facilities in cooperationwith the Commission onFire Prevention and Control;
(14) Administer the state fire school and regional fire schools;
(15) Administer certification examinations, testing procedures and reciprocity recognition for credentials in the fire service disciplines;
(16) Manage the Statewide Fire Service Disaster Response Plan, with LCO 7 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5460 the advice of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control;
and (17) Make recommendations to the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection pertaining to the operational funding of the state fire school and regional fire schools.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to forest fire prevention and control programs administered by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant to sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive.
Sec.
5.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section and sections 6 and 7 of this act:
(1) "Fire protection" means the prevention and suppression of fires, the investigation of the origin and cause of fires, the response to hazardous materials incidents and technical rescues;
(b) There is established within the Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, a program to be known as "Connecticut Fire".
(b) There is established within the Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection a program to be known as "Connecticut Fire".
The purpose of the Connecticut Fire program shall be to establish a framework for the state to provide administrative and operational assistance tomunicipalitiesorfireauthoritiesthatchoosetoreceivesuch assistance.
The purpose of the Connecticut Fire program shall be to establish a framework for the state to provide administrative and operational assistance tomunicipalitiesorfireauthoritiesthatchoosetoreceivesuch Public Act No.
26-144 7 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 assistance.
(c)The Deputy State Fire Administrator shalloverseetheConnecticut Fire program.
(c) The State Fire Administrator shall oversee the Connecticut Fire program.
Not later than July 1, 2028, the Deputy State Fire Administrator shall, within available appropriations, implement the recommendations of the working group established pursuant to section LCO 8 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
Upon approval of the framework for the Connecticut Fire program by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control pursuant to section 6 of this act, the State Fire Administrator may include in a budget request for the subsequent fiscal year the cost of implementing such framework.
5460 7 of this act.
Uponthe inclusion of appropriations for said program in an approved state budget, the State Fire Administrator shall, within available appropriations, implement such framework.
6.
5.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall administer a Connecticut Fire grant program.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Upon implementation of the Connecticut Fire program by the State Fire Administrator pursuant to the provisions of section 4 of this act, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall administer a Connecticut Fire grant program.
Pursuant to said grant program, the secretary shall provide grants-in-aid to municipalities that participate in the Connecticut Fire program established under section 5 of this act, to incentivize the regionalization of fire protection services and the sharing of fire protection resources among municipalities.
Pursuant to said grant program, the secretary shall provide grants-in- aid to municipalities that participate in the Connecticut Fire program to incentivize theregionalizationoffire protectionservicesandthesharing of fire protection resources among municipalities.
Not later than July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the secretary shall submit a report on the grant program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
(b) Not later than the start of the subsequent fiscal year after awarding the first grant under the Connecticut Fire grant program, the secretary shall submit a report on the grant program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of Public Act No.
26-144 8 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 matters relating to public safety and security in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
7.
6.
(Effective from passage) (a) There is established a working group to develop the administrative, operational, fiscal and personnel framework for the Connecticut Fire program.
(Effective from passage) (a) The Comptroller shall establish a working group to develop the administrative, operational, fiscal and personnel framework for the Connecticut Fire program, established pursuant to section 4 of this act.
(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:
(b) The working group shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) The chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security, or their designees;
(1) The Comptroller, or the Comptroller's designee;
(2) The State Comptroller, or the comptroller's designee;
(2) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee;
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(3) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or the commissioner's designee;
5460 (3) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee;
(4) The State Fire Administrator, or the administrator's designee;
(4) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or the commissioner's designee;
(5) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, or their designees;
(5) The State Fire Administrator, or the administrator's designee;
(6) Three members of the Joint Council of Connecticut Fire Service Organizations, who shall be appointed by the joint council;
(6) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, or the chairpersons' designees;
(7) The executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities if such executive director agrees to participate in the working group, or the executive director's designee;
(7) Three members of the Joint Council of Connecticut Fire Service Organizations, who shall be appointed by the joint council;
and (8) The executive director of the Council of Small Towns if such executive director agrees to participate in the working group, or the Public Act No.
(8) A representative from the Office of Fiscal Analysis, who shall be appointed by the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the GeneralAssemblyhavingcognizanceofmattersrelatingtopublicsafety and security;
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(9) The executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, or the director's designee;
5460 executive director's designee.
and (10) The executive director of the Council of Small Towns, or the director's designee.
(c) The Comptroller shall:
(c) The chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security shall:
(d) The working group shall be an independent body within the Legislative Department for administrative purposes only.
(d)Not later thanSeptember 1,2027,theComptroller shallsubmit the recommended framework for the Connecticut Fire program developed by the working group to the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.
The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security shall serve as administrative staff of the council.
The Comptroller may terminate the working group on the date that the commission approves such framework pursuant to subsection (e) of this section or January 1, 2028, whichever is later.
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(e) Not later than January 1, 2028, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control shall (1) review the working group's recommended framework for the Connecticut Fire program, (2) approve such framework, with or without modifications, and (3) submit the approved framework to the State Fire Administrator.
5460 (e) Not later than September 1, 2027, the working group shall submit areportonitsfindingsandrecommendationstotheCommissiononFire Prevention and Control.
Not later than January 1, 2028, the commission shall (1) review the report and recommendations, (2) approve the report and recommendations, with or without modifications, and (3) submit the approved report and recommendations to the Deputy State Fire Administrator.
The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits suchapprovedreport andrecommendationsor January 1, 2028, whichever is later.
7.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The State Fire Administrator shall coordinate with the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to establish fire service regions within the state that matchtheemergencypreparednessregionsestablishedbysaiddivision.
The State Fire Administrator shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, a regional fire coordinator for each such region.
In any region where a recognized regional fire chiefs' organization exists, such organization may submit to the State Fire Administrator recommendations for candidates for regional fire coordinator for such region.
(b) Each regional fire coordinator shall serve in a voluntary, nonsalaried capacity as a liaison between the Division of Fire Services Public Act No.
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5460 Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the local fire departments within the region served by such regional fire coordinator for the purposes of facilitating the Connecticut Fire program established pursuant to section 4 of this act and coordinating fire protection resources through such region.
For the purposes of this subsection, "fire protection" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this act.
(c) The State Fire Administrator may submit a plan to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to transition the position of regional fire coordinator to a salaried employee position.
Upon approval of such plan, the commissioner may include such position in the estimates of expenditure requirements in accordance with the provisions of section 4-77 of the general statutes.
Sec.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established the position of a regional fire coordinator for each region within the state.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2026) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in coordination with the office of the Comptroller, shall, within the availability of appropriations approved for such purpose, establish and maintain a system for collecting computer-aided dispatch data pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of section 28-25b of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
Eachregionalfire coordinator shallserve astheprimary liaisonbetween the Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the local fire departments within the region served by the regional fire coordinator, for the purposes of facilitating the Connecticut Fire program established pursuant to section 5 of this act and coordinating fire protection resources throughout such region.
The department shall aggregate such data and monitor information regarding emergency services requests managed by fire departments and emergency medical services providers.
For purposes of this section, "fire protection" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this act.
(b) The State Fire Administrator shall coordinate with the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to establish regions to be served by the regional fire coordinators that match the regions established by said division.
The State Fire Administrator shall appoint a regional fire coordinator for each region in the state, and each such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.
In any region where a recognized regional fire chiefs' organization exists, such organization may recommend candidates for the regional fire coordinator position for such region to the State Fire Administrator.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in coordination with the Office of the State Comptroller, shall establish and maintain a system for collecting LCO 11 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
Subsection (f) of section 28-25b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
5460 computer-aided dispatch data from municipalities throughout the state for the purpose of aggregating and monitoring information regarding emergency services requests managed by fire departments and emergency medical services providers.
(f) [On and after January 1, 2001, each] Each public safety answering point and regional emergency telecommunications center shall submit to the division, on a quarterly basis, a report of all 9-1-1 calls for services received through the enhanced 9-1-1 service and the next generation 9- 1-1 telecommunication system by the public safety answering point or Public Act No.
26-144 11 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 regional emergency telecommunications center.
Such report shall include, but not belimitedto,thefollowing information:(1)The number of 9-1-1 calls during the reporting quarter;
[and] (2) for each such call, the elapsed time period from the time the call was received to the time the call was answered, and the elapsed time period from the time the call was answered to the time the call was transferred or terminated, expressed in time ranges or fractile response times;
and (3) any other information requested by the division for inclusion in the system established and maintained by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection pursuant to the provisions of section 8 of this act.
The information required under this subsection shall be produced using data generated fromacomputer-aideddispatchsystemifapublicsafety answering point or regional emergency telecommunications center utilizes such system, and may be submitted in any written or electronic form selected by such public safety answering point or regional emergency telecommunications center and approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, provided the commissioner shall take into consideration the needs of such public safety answering point or regional emergency telecommunications center in approving such written or electronic form.
On a quarterly basis, the division shall make such information available to the public and [shall post such information on its Internet web site] input such information in the system established pursuant to section 8 of this act.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than July 1, 2027, theOffice oftheState Comptroller,incoordinationwiththeDepartment of Emergency Services and Public Protection, shall establish and maintain a First Responder Health and Benefits Unit of the Division of Healthcare Policy and Benefit Services within the Office of the State Comptroller.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The office of the Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, shall study the feasibility of centralizing within one state agency access to all public benefits available to firefighters, including, but not limited to, claims related to the firefighters cancer relief account established pursuant to section 7-313h of the general statutes, claims related to the Fallen Hero Fund established pursuant to section 3-122a of the general statutes, injury claims, workers' compensation claims and disability claims.
The unit shall coordinate and disseminate information regarding all public benefits available to firefighters, including, but not limited to, claims related to the firefighters cancer relief account established pursuant to section 7-313h of the general statutes, as amended by this act, claims related to the fallen hero fund established pursuanttosection3-122aofthegeneralstatutes,injuryclaims,workers' compensation claims and disability claims.
Such access Public Act No.
(b) (1) The unit shall consult with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association regarding all matters related to the purposes of the unit.
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(2) The unit shall maintain communications with all regional fire coordinators appointed pursuant to section 8 of this act to promote the efficient processing of firefighter benefits and claims and effective communication regarding such benefits and claims.
5460 to benefits through one state agency shall include, but need not be limited to, such state agency making eligibility determinations, receiving applications and disseminating information for such benefits.
(b) Not later than July 1 2027, the Comptroller shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security a report on the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
Subsection (a) of section 7-313h of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
Subsection (b) of section 7-323o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) There is established an account to be known as the "firefighters cancer relief account", which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account.
(b) The Division of Fire Services Administration shall:
The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account.
(1) Administer federal funds and grants allocated to the fire services of the state;
Moneys in the account shall be expended by (1) the cancer relief subcommittee of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, established pursuant to section 7-313i, as amended by this act, for the purposes of providing wage replacement benefits to LCO 12 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
(2) Provide technical assistance and guidance to fire fighting forces of any state or municipal agency;
5460 firefighters who are diagnosed with a condition of cancer described in section 7-313j, and (2) by the State [Treasurer] Comptroller for purposes of providing reimbursement to municipal employers and state employers that provide compensation and benefits to firefighters diagnosed with a condition of cancer in accordance with section 7-313p.
(3) Develop a centralized information and audiovisual library regarding fire prevention and control;
(4) Accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire prevention data;
(5)Recommendspecificationsoffireservicematerialsandequipment and assist in the purchasing thereof;
(6) Assist in mutual aid coordination;
(7) Coordinate fire programs with those of the other states;
(8) Assist in communications coordination;
Public Act No.
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5460 (9) Establish and maintain a fire service information program;
(10)Reviewandapprove thepurchase offireapparatusorequipment at state institutions, facilities and properties;
(11) Recommend and providereports on revisions to statutes relating to firefighter training and fire prevention and control;
(12) Advise and assist the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control regarding legislative proposals;
(13) Encourage the expansion and improvement of existing regional firefighter training facilities in cooperationwith the Commission onFire Prevention and Control;
(14) Administer the state fire school and regional fire schools;
(15) Administer certification examinations, testing procedures and reciprocity recognition for credentials in the fire service disciplines;
(16) Manage the Statewide Fire Service Disaster Response Plan, with the advice of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control;
[and] (17) Make recommendations to the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection pertaining to the operational funding of the state fire school and regional fire schools;
and (18) Not later than July 1, 2027, establish, and annually thereafter update as needed, a registry identifying the fire chief for each municipality and fire district in the state.
Subsection (h) of section 7-313i of the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2026):
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2027, the office of the Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, shall establish and maintain a registry of all career and volunteer firefighters in the state, for the Public Act No.
(h) The State [Treasurer] Comptroller shall remit wage replacement benefits that are approved by the subcommittee from the firefighters cancerreliefaccountestablishedpursuanttosection7-313h,asamended by this act, not later than thirty days after such benefits have been approved.
26-144 14 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 purpose of verifying such firefighters' training, credentials and benefit eligibility.
Section 7-313k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
Not later than January 1, 2018, and annually thereafter, the State [Treasurer] Comptroller, in consultation with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the GeneralAssemblyhavingcognizanceofmattersrelatingtopublicsafety on the status of the firefighters cancer relief account established pursuant to section 7-313h, as amended by this act, and the firefighters cancer reliefprogramestablished pursuant to section7-313j.
Such report shall include (1) the balance of the account, (2) the projected and actual participation in the program, and (3) the demographic information of each firefighter who receives benefits pursuant to such program, including gender, age, town of residence and income level.
Sec.
14.
Section 3-123 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(a) Whenever a person, under the provisions of the constitution and bylaws of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, is entitled to LCO 13 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5460 relief from said association, as a firefighter injured in the line of duty, or rendered sick by disease contracted while in the line of duty, or as the widow or child of a firefighter killed in the line of duty, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, upon thedeliveryto saidcommissioner ofproperproofsfromsaidassociation of the right of such person to relief as aforesaid, process payment for such person or persons entitled to such relief, or their legal representative, for the amount to which such person or persons are entitled as relief as aforesaid, provided such orders shall be limited to available appropriations.
(b) Whenever a firefighter, under the provisions of the constitution and bylaws of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, is entitled to wage replacement benefits from said association pursuant to the firefighters cancer relief program established pursuant to section 7-313j, the State [Treasurer] Comptroller shall, upon the delivery to the State [Treasurer] Comptroller of proper proof from said association of the right of such firefighter to wage replacement benefits as aforesaid, process payment for such firefighter entitled to such wage replacement benefits, or his or her legal representative, for the amount to which such firefighter is entitled as wage replacement benefits as aforesaid, providedsuchordersshallbelimitedto available fundscontainedinthe firefighters cancer relief account established pursuant to section 7-313h, as amended by this act.
Sec.
15.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2027, the Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall establish and maintain a registry identifying the fire chief for each municipality and fire district in the state.
Sec.
16.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2027, the Office of the State Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, shall establish and maintain a registry of all career and volunteer firefighters in the state, for the purpose ofverifying suchfirefighters' training,credentialsandprogram LCO 14 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5460 eligibility.
Sec.
17.
(c)A [flashing]bluelight orlights,including flashing bluelights, may be used on a motor vehicle operated by an active member of a volunteer fire department or company or an active member of an organized civil preparedness auxiliary fire company who has been issued a permit by the chief executive officer of such department or company to use such a [flashing] blue light or lights while on the way to or at the scene of a fire or other emergency requiring such member's services.
(c)A [flashing]bluelight orlights,including flashing bluelights, may be used on a motor vehicle operated by an active member of a volunteer fire department or company or an active member of an organized civil preparedness auxiliary fire company who has been issued a permit by the chief executive officer of such department or company to use such a [flashing] blue light or lights while on the way to or at the scene of a fire Public Act No.
26-144 15 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 or other emergency requiring such member's services.
The LCO 15 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
The chief executive officer of each volunteer fire department or company or organized civil preparedness auxiliary fire company shall keep on file, on forms provided by the commissioner, the names and addresses of members who have been authorized to use a [flashing] blue light or lightsasprovidedin thissubsection.Suchlisting shallalso designate the registration number of the motor vehicle on which an authorized [a flashing] blue light or lights are to be used.
5460 chief executive officer of each volunteer fire department or company or organized civil preparedness auxiliary fire company shall keep on file, on forms provided by the commissioner, the names and addresses of members who have been authorized to use a [flashing] blue light or lightsasprovidedinthissubsection.Suchlisting shallalso designate the registration number of the motor vehicle on which an authorized [a flashing] blue light or lights are to be used.
(e) The commissioner may issue a permit for a [flashing] red light or lights, including flashing red lights, which may be used on a motor vehicle or equipment (1) used by paid fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (2) used by volunteer fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (3) used by members of the fire police on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing operationsat thesceneofafire or emergency,(4)usedby chiefexecutive officers of emergency medical service organizations, as defined in section 19a-175, the first or second deputies, or if there are no deputies, the first or second assistants, of such an organization that is a municipal or volunteer or licensed organization, (5) used by local fire marshals, (6) used by directors of emergency management, or (7) used by a constable, LCO 16 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
(e) The commissioner may issue a permit for a [flashing] red light or lights, including flashing red lights, which may be used on a motor vehicle or equipment (1) used by paid fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (2) used by volunteer fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (3) used by members of the fire police on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing Public Act No.
5460 appointed pursuant to an ordinance authorized by section 9-185 or elected pursuant to section 9-200, on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing operations.
26-144 16 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 operationsat thesceneofafire or emergency,(4)usedby chiefexecutive officers of emergency medical service organizations, as defined in section 19a-175, the first or second deputies, or if there are no deputies, the first or second assistants, of such an organization that is a municipal or volunteer or licensed organization, (5) used by local fire marshals, (6) used by directors of emergency management, including, but not limited to, the deputy commissioner of the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the regional coordinators for said division, or (7) used by a constable, appointed pursuant to an ordinance authorized by section 9-185 or elected pursuant to section 9-200, on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing operations.
(g) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue a permit for a white light or lights, including a flashing white light or lights, which maybeusedonamotorvehicleorequipmentasspecifiedinsubdivision (1), (2), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (e) of this section.
(g) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue a permit for a Public Act No.
26-144 17 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
5460 white light or lights, including a flashing white light or lights, which maybeusedonamotorvehicleorequipmentas specifiedinsubdivision (1), (2), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (e) of this section.
Such authorization may be revoked for use of such head LCO 17 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
Such authorization may be revoked for use of such head lamps in violation of this subdivision.
5460 lamps in violation of this subdivision.
[(k) No person, other than a police officer or inspector of the Department of Motor Vehicles operating a state or local police vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle displaying a steady blue or steady red illuminated light or both steady blue and steady red illuminated lights that are visible externally from the front of the vehicle.] [(l)] (k) Use of colored and flashing lights except as authorized by this section shall be an infraction.
Public Act No.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
26-144 18 of 19 Substitute House Bill No.
Section 1 October 1, 2026 New section Sec.
5460 [(k) No person, other than a police officer or inspector of the Department of Motor Vehicles operating a state or local police vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle displaying a steady blue or steady red illuminated light or both steady blue and steady red illuminated lights that are visible externally from the front of the vehicle.] [(l)] (k) Use of colored and flashing lights except as authorized by this section shall be an infraction.
2 October 1, 2026 7-323l Sec.
Governor's Action:
3 October 1, 2026 New section LCO 18 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
Approved June 4, 2026 Public Act No.
5460 Sec.
26-144 19 of 19
4 October 1, 2026 7-323o Sec.
5 from passage New section Sec.
6 from passage New section Sec.
7 from passage New section from passage Sec.
8 New section Sec.
9 from passage New section Sec.
10 from passage New section Sec.
11 October 1, 2026 7-313h(a) Sec.
12 October 1, 2026 7-313i(h) Sec.
13 October 1, 2026 7-313k Sec.
14 October 1, 2026 3-123 from passage Sec.
15 New section Sec.
16 from passage New section Sec.
17 October 1, 2026 14-96q PS Joint Favorable Subst.
-LCO APP Joint Favorable LCO 19 of 19
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Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 26-144

  5. IN CONCURRENCE

  6. SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  9. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 518

  10. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  11. IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO THE SENATE

  12. HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  13. HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  14. TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  15. NO NEW FILE BY COMM. ON Appropriations

  16. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  17. FILED WITH LCO

  18. Joint Favorable

  19. REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

  20. FILE NO. 331

  21. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 251

  22. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  23. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  24. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/31/26

  25. FILED WITH LCO

  26. Joint Favorable

  27. PUBLIC HEARING 0312

  28. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 177 not signed on

Sponsors (10)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (177)

177 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 5460?
HB 5460 is sponsored by Hilda E. Santiago (Democratic), Dave W. Yaccarino (Republican), Kenneth Gucker (Democratic), Bill Buckbee (Republican), Tom Delnicki (Republican), Ben McGorty (Republican), Jason Rojas (Democratic), Patrick S. Boyd (Democratic), Michael D. Quinn (Democratic), and Iris N Sanchez (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 5460?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 04, 2026. Enacted.
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