Connecticut 2024 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 5 D · 2 R cosponsors

SB 421 — AN ACT CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

Last action — HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 474

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

This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

728 added · 60 removed

728 line(s) added, 60 removed.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
421 February Session, 2024 LCO No.
223 February Session, 2024 Senate Bill No.
2733 Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY Introduced by:
421 Senate, April 3, 2024 The Committee on Public Safety and Security reported through SEN.
(PS) AN ACT CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
GASTON of the 23rd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year LCO 2733 \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00421-R1 of 17 SB.docx Bill No.
SB421 / File No.
421 thereafter, the department shall allocate five thousand dollars to each municipal police department that operates, or plans to operate in the following fiscal year, a cadet or explorer program.
223 1 SB421 File No.
223 (b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the department shall allocate five thousand dollars to each municipal police department that operates, or plans to operate in the following fiscal year, a cadet or explorer program.
(b) (1) No person may be employed as a police officer by any law enforcement unit for a period exceeding one year unless such person LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00422 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(b) (1) No person may be employed as a police officer by any law enforcement unit for a period exceeding one year unless such person SB421 / File No.
421 has been certified under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or has been granted an extension by the council.
223 2 SB421 File No.
223 has been certified under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or has been granted an extension by the council.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-004213 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Emergency SB421 / File No.
421 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall provide a grant to each of the top ten most populous municipalities in the state in order to increase the salaries of police officers serving such municipalities.
223 3 SB421 File No.
223 Services and Public Protection shall provide a grant to each of the top ten most populous municipalities in the state in order to increase the salaries of police officers serving such municipalities.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-004214 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a SB421 / File No.
421 the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance ofmattersrelating to publicsafety andsecurity.Such report shall include the pathway and schedule developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and a description of plans to promote such pathway.
223 4 SB421 File No.
223 report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance ofmattersrelating to publicsafety andsecurity.Such report shall include the pathway and schedule developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and a description of plans to promote such pathway.
(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any of the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military serviceacademy,whichveteranhasbeenacceptedforadmissiontosuch institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-004215 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any of the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military serviceacademy,whichveteranhasbeenacceptedforadmissiontosuch institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's SB421 / File No.
421 member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident ofthe state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (10) for a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (11) for any dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years.
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223 designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident ofthe state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (10) for a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (11) for any dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years.
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(d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Connecticut State SB421 / File No.
421 (d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Connecticut State University System (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27- 103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination with the university which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-004217 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
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421 who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (10) for a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (11) for any dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years.
223 University System (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27- 103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to such institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination with the university which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a SB421 / File No.
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223 resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (10) for a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (11) for any dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years.
(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees for any undergraduate or graduate degree program at The University of Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forcesoftheUnited Stateshasdeclaredto bemissing inactionor tohave been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to The University of Connecticut and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27- LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-004218 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees for any undergraduate or graduate degree program at The University of Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forcesoftheUnitedStateshasdeclaredto bemissing inactionor tohave been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to The University of Connecticut and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27- 103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, SB421 / File No.
421 103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, which veteran has been accepted for admission to said institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to said institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to said institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the courseasufficientnumberofstudentsotherthanthose residentseligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such courseafteraccommodating allsuchstudents,(4)for anyactivemember of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to said institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (5) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state who is the dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (8) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (9) for a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (10) for any dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years.
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If any person who LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-004219 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
223 which veteran has been accepted for admission to said institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to said institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to said institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the courseasufficientnumberofstudentsotherthanthose residentseligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such courseafteraccommodating allsuchstudents,(4)for anyactivemember of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to said institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (5) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state who is the dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, [and] (8) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state, (9) for a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than two years, and (10) for any dependent child of a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, who has been employed as such an officer in the state for not less than five years.
421 receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement.
If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational SB421 / File No.
Veterans and members of the National Guard described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be given the same statusasstudentsnot receiving tuitionwaiversin registeringfor courses at The University of Connecticut.
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223 reimbursement.
Veterans and members of the National Guard described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be given the same statusasstudentsnot receiving tuitionwaiversinregisteringfor courses at The University of Connecticut.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Office of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, shall administer a police officer loan reimbursementgrantprogramfor individualswhohavebeenemployed as a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a of the general statutes, in the state for not less than ten years.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Office of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, shall administer a police officer loan reimbursementgrantprogramforindividualswhohavebeenemployed as a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a of the general statutes, in the state for not less than ten years.
(e) The Office of Higher Education may accept gifts, grants and donations, from any source, public or private, for the police officer loan LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-0010 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(e) The Office of Higher Education may accept gifts, grants and donations, from any source, public or private, for the police officer loan reimbursement grant program.
421 reimbursement grant program.
Section 12-81 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is amended by adding subdivision (83) as follows (Effective October 1, 2024, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024):
Section 12-81 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is amended by adding subdivision (83) as follows (Effective October 1, SB421 / File No.
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223 2024, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024):
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421 Sec.
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(Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2024, the Governor shall enter into negotiations with the employee organization that is the representative of state police officers to seek amendments to any collective bargaining agreement to establish conditions under which a state police officer who retired from service as such an officer may return to such service and (1) resume earning credit toward retirement benefits, in the same manner as such officer earned such credit prior to such officer's retirement, and (2) be eligible for earning the same benefits as such officer was eligible for prior to such officer's retirement.
(Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2024, the Governor shall enter into negotiations with the employee organization that is the representative of state police officers to seek amendments to any collective bargaining agreement to establish conditions under SB421 / File No.
223 11 SB421 File No.
223 which a state police officer who retired from service as such an officer may return to such service and (1) resume earning credit toward retirement benefits, in the same manner as such officer earned such credit prior to such officer's retirement, and (2) be eligible for earning the same benefits as such officer was eligible for prior to such officer's retirement.
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(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
421 (4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
SB421 / File No.
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223 (6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this section, LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-004213 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this section, "law enforcement unit" has the same meaning as provided in section 7- 294a of the general statu.es (b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Department of Emergency ServicesandPublicProtectionshalldevelopapilot program SB421 / File No.
421 "law enforcement unit" has the same meaning as provided in section 7- 294a of the general statu.es (b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Department of Emergency ServicesandPublicProtectionshalldevelopapilot program to provide law enforcement units with unmanned aerial vehicles to respondtorequestsforservice,assistsuchunitsinassessingthedangers and needs at the scene where service is requested prior to the arrival of a police officer and enhance the safety of police officers and the services such units provide to the public.
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223 to provide law enforcement units with unmanned aerial vehicles to respondtorequestsforservice,assistsuchunitsinassessingthedangers and needs at the scene where service is requested prior to the arrival of a police officer and enhance the safety of police officers and the services such units provide to the public.
Such report shall include (A) information on the law enforcement units that applied for participation in the pilot program, which units were chosen for LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-0014 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
Such report shall include (A) information on the law enforcement units that applied for participation in the pilot program, which units were chosen for participation and the reasons for choosing such units, (B) a summary of the reports submitted by units pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and an analysis of the results of the pilot program, and (C) recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the pilot program, funding needs and any necessary legislation.
421 participation and the reasons for choosing such units, (B) a summary of the reports submitted by units pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and an analysis of the results of the pilot program, and (C) recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the pilot program, funding needs and any necessary legislation.
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(d) (1) Not later than January 1, 2026, each law enforcement unit participating in the pilot program shall submit a report to the department describing the programs, services and resources provided LCO 2733 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00415 of 17 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.
(d) (1) Not later than January 1, 2026, each law enforcement unit participating in the pilot program shall submit a report to the department describing the programs, services and resources provided pursuant to the pilot program and evaluating the impact of such programs, services and resources on the mental health of the police officers employed by such unit.
421 pursuant to the pilot program and evaluating the impact of such programs, services and resources on the mental health of the police officers employed by such unit.
In evaluating such impact, each unit shall provide a recommendation as to whether such programs, services or resources should be continued and whether any modifications could improve the impact of such programs, services or resources on the SB421 / File No.
In evaluating such impact, each unit shall provide a recommendation as to whether such programs, services or resources should be continued and whether any modifications could improve the impact of such programs, services or resources on the mental health of police officers.
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223 mental health of police officers.
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9 July 1, 2024 10a-77(d) Sec.
9 July 1, 2024 10a-77(d) July 1, 2024 Sec.
10 July 1, 2024 10a-99(d) Sec.
10 10a-99(d) Sec.
12 July 1, 2024 New section Sec.
12 July 1, 2024 New section SB421 / File No.
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223 Sec.
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21 July 1, 2024 New section PS Joint Favorable SB421 / File No.
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223 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Department of Emergency GF - Cost 7.5 million - 7.5 million - Services and Public Protection 15 million 15 million Department of Emergency GF - Cost Potential Potential Services and Public Protection Significant Significant Resources of the General Fund GF - 500,000 None Appropriation Higher Education Constituent Tuition Funds - Potential Potential Units Revenue Loss Significant Significant Higher Ed., Off.
GF - Cost Significant Significant CHFA CHFA - Potential See Below See Below Cost/Revenue Impact Comptroller GF - Cost 50,000 None State Comptroller – Fringe GF - Cost At least At least Benefits1 100,000 100,000 Note:
GF=General Fund;
CHFA=Resources of CHFA Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Hartford;
New Haven;
Revenue See Below See Below Waterbury;
Bridgeport;
Stamford;
Gain Greenwich;
Norwalk;
Danbury;
New Britain;
West Hartford Various Municipalities Grand List None See Below Reduction Various Municipalities Potential See Below See Below Revenue Gain Various Municipalities Potential See Below See Below Savings 1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.
The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.25% of payroll in FY 25.
SB421 / File No.
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223 Various Municipalities Potential See Below See Below Cost Explanation The bill makes various changes regarding the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, resulting in the various impacts described below.
Section 1 requires the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to develop a state-wide campaign to promote the law enforcement profession.
Section 21 appropriates $500,000 in FY 25 to DESPP for this purpose.
Section 2 requires DESPP to employ a full-time cadet or explorer programcoordinator,resultinginanestimatedcostof $116,000annually beginning in FY 25.
The starting salary of the program coordinator is approximately $75,000, with associated fringe benefits of $31,000.
There is also an estimated cost of $10,000 for other expenses, including educational supplies and promotional materials.
This section also requires DESPP to allocate $5,000 to each municipal police department that operates or plans to operate a cadet or explorer program each year, resulting in a potential cost to the state of up to $475,000 inFY 25 andFY 26.There isacorresponding potentialrevenue gain of $5,000 to each municipal police department that operates or plans to operate a cadet or explorer program each year.
Section 3 requires DESPP to establish a grant program to reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of basic training for police officers, resulting in a cost to the state and savings to municipalities ranging fromabout $5,000to $70,000per officer.
Costswillvary widely depending on which expenses the grant covers and how many officers attend basic training.
For every 100 officers that attend basic training, 2As of October 2023, Connecticut has 95 municipal police departments.
3The cost of tuition and fees for a police officer to attend basic training may potentially be as low as $5,000 per student, while including the cost of uniforms, equipment, and salary while attending training can result in a cost of up to $70,000 per student.
SB421 / File No.
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223 the cost can range from $500,000 to $7 million each year.
Section 4 requires the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) to examine criminal justice courses offered by colleges and universities in the state, resulting in no fiscal impact to the state because POST has the expertise to meet the requirements of the section.
Section 5 prohibits POST from denying police officer certification and law enforcement units from denying someone employment as a police officer solely because they are a lawful permanent resident noncitizen, resulting in no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
Section 6 requires DESPP to provide a grant to each of the top ten most populous municipalities in the state to increase the salaries of police officers serving such municipalities, resulting in a cost to the state ranging from $7.3 million to $14.6 million in FY 25 and FY 26.
It is estimated that each of these approximately 2440 officers will receive an additional $3,000 to $6,000 annually to make their salaries competitive with surrounding communities.
The cost may be reduced if these grants are only applied to starting salaries.
The following table shows the estimated revenue gain by municipality:
Municipality Officers4 Revenue Gain Estimate $ Hartford 382 1,146,000 - 2,292,000 New Haven 352 1,056,000 - 2,112,000 Waterbury 293 879,000 - 1,758,000 Bridgeport 289 867,000 - 1,734,000 Stamford 273 819,000 - 1,638,000 Greenwich 182 546,000 - 1,092,000 Norwalk 179 537,000 - 1,074,000 Danbury 178 534,000 - 1,068,000 New Britain 162 486,000 - 972,000 West Hartford 150 450,000 - 900,000 Total:
2440 7,320,000 - 14,640,000 Section 7 requires DESPP and POST to jointly submit a report to the Public Safety and Security Committee with recommendations on giving bonuses to encourage people to begin and continue careers as police officers, resulting in no fiscal impact because the agencies have the 4From Office of Legislative Research Report 2023-R-0265.
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223 expertise to meet the requirements of the section.
Section 8 requires the Board of Regents for Higher Education, UConn’s Board of Trustees, and POST to jointly submit a report that includes a career pathway and schedule of credits to help police officers earn higher education degrees, resulting in no fiscal impact because the agencies have the expertise to meet the requirements of the section.
Sections 9-11 result in a potentially significant annual revenue loss beginning in FY 25 to the higher education constituent units, associated with waiving tuition for certain police officers and their dependents.
The tuition waivers will be available to:
(1) a police officer who has at least two years of service as an officer in Connecticut and (2) any dependent child of a police officer who has at least five years of service as an officer in the state.
There are an estimated 8,092 state and local police officers in Connecticut.
It is unknown how many individuals will be eligible for the tuition waivers and take advantage of it, or which constituent unit they would choose to attend.
The scope of the revenue loss will vary based on the number of waivers and the institution waiving tuition.
For example, 500 additional tuition waivers at UConn for the undergraduate level results in a revenue loss of approximately $8.5 million annually while 1,000 additional community college waivers results in a revenue loss of approximately $4.6 million annually.
To the extent that some of the waiver beneficiaries enrolling in Connecticut State Colleges and Universities institutions might not have otherwise attended, these institutions may experience higher fee and other revenue (e.g., room and board) due to the bill.
The exact number of additional waivers that will occur because of the bill is unknown, but the revenue loss to the constituent units may be significant.
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223 Examples of Tuition Waiver Value, FY 25 CT State Community # of Students UConn CSUs College Per-Student Value of Undergraduate Tuition Waiver, FY 25 17,012 6,998 4,608 1,701,200 699,800 460,800 8,506,000 3,499,000 2,304,000 1,000 17,012,000 6,998,000 4,608,000 Section 12 results in a significant annual cost to the Office of Higher Education (OHE) beginning in FY 25 associated with a loan reimbursement program for individuals employed as police officers in Connecticut for at least ten years.
Eligible participants may receive an annual grant for up to ten years.
The grant may equal up to 10% of their loans and is capped at $5,000 per year.
OHE does not currently have the funds available to operate this program.
The scope of the costs is dependent upon the number of reimbursements awarded annually and the amount of gifts, grants, and donations received for the program (if any).
OHE would require one full-time program administrator, resulting in annual salary expenses of approximately $92,250 and corresponding fringe benefit costs of approximately $38,053, beginning in FY 25.
Additionally, OHE would require upto $50,000 in FY 25,associated with software andinformation technology upgrades.
Section 13 exempts $10,000 in property taxes on property belonging to or held in trust for a police officer who resides in a distressed municipality.
This results in a grand list reduction to distressed municipalities beginning in FY 26.
A grand list reduction results in a revenue loss given a constant mill rate, however it is likely that a municipality willadjust itsmillrate to offset any predictedrevenue loss.
According to a 2023 report, 16 of the distressed municipalities had SB421 / File No.
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223 municipal police departments.
If every one of these police officers received the full exemption, it would result in a cumulative grand list reduction of approximately $18.9 million.
There would be an additional grand list reduction for any state police that also qualified for the exemption.
Section14resultsinpotentialmarketingcostsandaminimalrevenue impact for the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), beginning in FY 25, to enhance its assistance to police officers who seek to purchase a home in the community where they serve.
To the extent CHFA further reduces home mortgage interest rates for that group beyond the 0.125% discount already offered through its Police Homebuyer Program, CHFA would collect less revenue for each loan.
However, such losses may be offset by increased interest income from additional loans to the extent lower interest rates increase demand for CHFA’s mortgage products.
Regardless, the revenue impact is anticipated to be minimal as the existing police officer program originated just four loans in the years 2017 to 2023.
CHFA may incur marketing costs, from its own resources, to promote the program.
The actual impact will depend on the way the authority decides to enhance its current assistance and on the number of police officers taking advantage of such assistance per year.
Section 15 will result in a cost of approximately $50,000 to the Office of the State Comptroller in FY 25 in consulting fees to study retirement options and make police health care coverage recommendations.
Section 16 directs the Governor to enter negotiations to amend any 5According to the Department of Economic and Community Development's 2023 distressed municipalities and Police Office Standards and Training Council data;
(1) towns with a municipal police department consist of:
Ansonia, Bridgeport, Derby, East Hartford, East Haven, Hartford, Meriden, New Britain, New London, Norwich, Plymouth, Putnam, Torrington, Waterbury, West Haven, and Winchester;
and (2) towns without a municipal police department consist of:
Chaplin, Griswold, Lisbon, Mansfield, Montville, Sprague, Sterling, Voluntown, and Windham.
6CHFA is a quasi-public authority that issues its ownfederally tax-exempt and taxable mortgage revenue bonds.
The authority primarily pays its operating expenses using funds derived from the excess of interest income from loans over bond interest expenses.
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223 collective bargaining agreement with state police officers to establish conditions for retired officers to return to service, resulting in no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
Section 17 requires collective bargaining agreements between municipalities and municipal police officers to allow retired, POST- certified officers to return to part or full-time employment, while collecting a pension, resulting in a potential cost or potential savings to municipalities in FY 25, depending on the extent to which the addition of these officers defrays the current overtime costs of municipalities.
Section 18 creates a task force to study the volunteer police auxiliary force resulting in no fiscal impact to the state because the task force has the expertise to meet the requirements of the bill.
Section 19 requires DESPP to develop a pilot program to provide law enforcement units with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), resulting in a one-time cost in FY 25 that will vary widely depending on the scale of the program and number of participating law enforcement units.
To administer the program, DESPP will need to hire one emergency management program specialist, resulting in a total cost of $122,000 ($83,000 salary, $34,000 fringe benefits, $5,000 other expenses).
UAVs used by law enforcement typically cost approximately $10,000 each but may range in price from $5,000 to over $50,000.
There are also additional training, software, and equipment expenses that are incidental to purchasing a UAV.
The bill does not limit which law enforcement units are eligible to participate in this program, but should ten law enforcement units participate, it is estimated to cost the state at least $500,000.
Section 20 requires DESPP to administer a police mental health pilot program, resulting in a potential one-time cost in FY 25.
DESPP will need to hire consultants or durational staff to develop suitable programming as the agency lacks the required subject matter expertise.
The total cost will vary widely based on the scale of the program, which SB421 / File No.
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223 may be required to address the needs of over 1,500 officers.
The bill requires this program be administered within available resources and does not specify a funding source.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of grants administered, tuition waivers granted, and property tax exemptions granted, as well as employee wage increases.
The impacts identified in sections 15 and 19-21 are one-time costs and have no out years effect.
Sources:
Office of Legislative Research Report 2023-R-0265 7The bill limits which law enforcement units are eligible to those with over 300 officers, which currently include Hartford Police Department, New Haven Police Department, and the State Police.
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223 OLR Bill Analysis SB 421 AN ACT CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
§§ 1 & 21 — LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION PROMOTION CAMPAIGN Requires DESPP to develop a statewide campaign promoting the law enforcement profession and appropriates $500,000 for this purpose § 2 — POLICE CADET/EXPLORER PROGRAM COORDINATOR Requires DESPP to (1) employ a full-time program coordinator to oversee police cadet and explorer programs and (2) allocate $5,000 each fiscal year to every municipal police department that operates or plans to operate these programs § 3 — POLICE BASIC TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT GRANTS Requires DESPP to reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of police officer basic training through an annual grant program § 4 — STUDY ON SUBSTITUTING COLLEGE COURSES FOR POLICE BASIC TRAINING Requires POST to study whether college-level criminal justice courses can be substituted for its police basic training courses § 5 — LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT NONCITIZENS AS POLICE OFFICERS Prohibits denying someone certification or employment as a police officer only because he or she is a lawful permanent resident noncitizen § 6 — POLICE SALARY INCREASE GRANTS Requires DESPP, starting FY 25, to provide annual grants to the top 10 most populous municipalities to increase their police officers’ salaries § 7 — RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICE BONUSES Requires DESPP and POST to create a report with recommendations on providing bonuses to new and existing police officers § 8 — HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREES PATHWAY Requires the Boardof Regents, UConn Board of Trustees, and POST to takespecific actions towards helping police officers earn higher education degrees §§ 9-11 — TUITION WAIVERS FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN SB421 / File No.
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223 Provides tuition waivers for the state’s public colleges and universities to police officers employed for at least two years and any dependent child of an officer employed for at least five years § 12 — LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR POLICE OFFICERS Requires OHE to create an annual grant program to give up to $5,000 a year, for up to 10 years, to police officers who have been employed for at least 10 years to reimburse their federal or state educational loans § 13 — PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION Exempts $10,000 in property taxes for police officers residing in distressed municipalities § 14 — CHFA ASSISTANCE FOR HOME PURCHASES Requires enhanced assistance by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to police officers seeking to buy a house in the communities they serve § 15 — STUDIES ON DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLANS AND RETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS Requires the State Retirement Commission to study (1) deferred retirement option plans towards developing one for police officers and (2) existing retirement medical benefits provided to police officers and their spouses § 16 — STATE POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RETURNING TO SERVICE Directs the governor to enter negotiations to amend the state police officers collective bargaining agreement to set conditions for retired officers to return to service § 17 — MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RETURNING TO SERVICE Generally, requires collective bargaining agreements between municipalities and municipal police officers to allow retired, POST-certified officers to return to part- or full- time employment § 18 — VOLUNTEER POLICE AUXILIARY TASK FORCE Creates a nine-member task force to (1) study the volunteer police auxiliary force and (2) make recommendations for improving and maximizing the force § 19 — DRONE PILOT PROGRAM Provides drones to law enforcement units in FY 25 through a DESPP pilot program § 20 — POLICE MENTAL HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM IncreasespoliceofficermentalhealthassistanceforFY25throughaDESPPpilotprogram, within available appropriations BACKGROUND §§ 1 & 21 — LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION PROMOTION CAMPAIGN Requires DESPP to develop a statewide campaign promoting the law enforcement profession and appropriates $500,000 for this purpose This bill requires the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) commissioner, by January 1, 2025, to develop a SB421 / File No.
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223 statewide campaign to promote the law enforcement profession that uses a variety of media, including social media.
In developing the campaign, the commissioner may consult with the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and any other entities he deems appropriate.
The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for FY 25 to DESPP for the campaign.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 2 — POLICE CADET/EXPLORER PROGRAM COORDINATOR Requires DESPP to (1) employ a full-time program coordinator to oversee police cadet and explorer programs and (2) allocate $5,000 each fiscal year to every municipal police department that operates or plans to operate these programs The bill requires DESPP to employ a full-time program coordinator to coordinate and oversee police cadet and explorer programs, implement state standards and a best practices guide for them, and encourage creating and expanding the programs throughout the state.
Starting with FY 25, the department must annually allocate $5,000 to each municipal police department that operates, or plans to operate, a cadet or explorer program.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 3 — POLICE BASIC TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT GRANTS Requires DESPP to reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of police officer basic training through an annual grant program The bill requires DESPP to create a grant program for reimbursing municipalpolice departmentsfor thecost ofpolice officer basictraining.
The department must (1) set the grant application process and forms and (2) post a description of the program that includes the eligibility criteria and application process.
The posting must be in a conspicuous place on DESPP’s website by October 1, 2024.
Grants must be provided annually starting FY 25.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 SB421 / File No.
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223 § 4 — STUDY ON SUBSTITUTING COLLEGE COURSES FOR POLICE BASIC TRAINING Requires POST to study whether college-level criminal justice courses can be substituted for its police basic training courses The bill requires the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) to examine the criminal justice courses offered by colleges and universities in Connecticut and determine (1) if the courses equal those required as part of a police officer’s minimum basic law enforcement training at the Connecticut Police Academy and (2) under what conditions a police trainee would not need to complete an academy course because he or she had already completed an equivalent college- level course.
By January 1, 2025, POST must submit a report of its examination and determination to the Public Safety and Security Committee.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 5 — LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT NONCITIZENS AS POLICE OFFICERS Prohibits denying someone certification or employment as a police officer only because he or she is a lawful permanent resident noncitizen The bill prohibits POST from denying police officer certification and law enforcement units from denying someone employment as a police officer only because he or she is a lawful permanent resident noncitizen.
(See BACKGROUND for the bill’s definition of “law enforcement units” and “police officer.”) The bill also makes a technical change.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 6 — POLICE SALARY INCREASE GRANTS Requires DESPP, starting FY 25, to provide annual grants to the top 10 most populous municipalities to increase their police officers’ salaries The bill requires DESPP to create a grant program for increasing police officer salaries in the top 10 most populous municipalities.
Grants must be provided annually starting FY 25.
The bill prohibits recipients from using the grant for any purpose other than increasing their police SB421 / File No.
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223 officers’ salaries.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 7 — RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICE BONUSES Requires DESPP and POST to create a report with recommendations on providing bonuses to new and existing police officers By January 1, 2025, the bill requires DESPP and POST to jointly submit a report to the Public Safety and Security Committee with recommendations on providing bonuses to encourage individuals to begin and continue careers as police officers.
Specifically, the report must include recommendationsfor ascheduleofbonusesto beawarded to (1) new officers when they begin service and (2) existing officers based on years of service.
Under the bill, DESPP and POST may consult with municipal police chiefs and any other individuals or entities in developing their recommendations.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage § 8 — HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREES PATHWAY Requires the Board of Regents, UConn Board of Trustees, and POST to take specific actions towards helping police officers earn higher education degrees By January 1, 2025, the bill requires the Board of Regents for Higher Education, UConn’s Board of Trustees, and POST to jointly submit a reporttothePublicSafetyandSecurityCommitteethatincludesacareer pathway and schedule that they must develop.
The pathway must help police officers earn higher education degrees and include a schedule of credits that officers may receive at UConn (and all its campuses) and the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for the training they received in order to be certified, and maintain their certification, as police officers.
The boards and POST must promote this pathway to encourage police officers to earn higher education degrees, and their report must describe their plans for promoting it.
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223 EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage §§ 9-11 — TUITION WAIVERS FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN Provides tuition waivers for the state’s public colleges and universities to police officers employed for at least two years and any dependent child of an officer employed for at least five years The bill requires UConn, the Connecticut State University System, and the regional community-technical colleges to waive tuition for (1) a police officer who has at least two years of service as an officer in Connecticut and (2) any dependent child of a police officer who has at least five years of service as an officer in the state.
The waivers apply to tuition fees for any undergraduate or graduate degree programs as applicable.
Under existing law, the schools must waive tuition for certain other categories ofstudents (e.g.,surviving childrenofpeoplewho died while serving in active duty in the armed forces).
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 12 — LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR POLICE OFFICERS Requires OHE to create an annual grant program to give up to $5,000 a year, for up to 10 years, to police officers who have been employed for at least 10 years to reimburse their federal or state educational loans The bill requires the Office of Higher Education (OHE), in collaboration with DESPP, to create a loan reimbursement program for individuals employed as police officers in Connecticut for at least 10 years and who otherwise satisfy OHE’s eligibility criteria.
Under the program, eligible officers may receive an annual grant to help reimburse their federal or state educational loan payments for up to 10 years.
The grant may be for up to 10% of their loans, but no more than $5,000 in any year, and only to reimburse loan payments made while the person is employed as a police officer.
Under the bill, the OHE executive director sets the program application process.
The office may accept gifts, grants, and donations SB421 / File No.
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223 from any source, public or private, for the program.
Grants must be awarded annually starting FY 25.
The bill prohibits unexpended funds from lapsing at the end of a fiscal year and instead requires that they be available for the next fiscal year.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 13 — PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION Exempts $10,000 in property taxes for police officers residing in distressed municipalities The bill exempts $10,000 in property taxes on property belonging to, or held in trust for, a police officer who resides in a Connecticut distressed municipality.
(See BACKGROUND for the bill’s definition of “distressed municipality.”) EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2024, and applicable to assessment years starting on or after that date.
§ 14 — CHFA ASSISTANCE FOR HOME PURCHASES Requires enhanced assistance by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to police officers seeking to buy a house in the communities they serve The bill requires the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to enhance assistance available to police officers who seek to purchase a house as an officer’s principal residence in the community he or she serves.
This assistance must prioritize first-time homebuyers and include mortgage or down payment assistance or any other appropriate housing subsidies.
The terms of any mortgage assistance must allow the mortgagee to realize a reasonable portion of the equity gain when the mortgaged property is sold.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 § 15 — STUDIES ON DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLANS AND RETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS Requires the State Retirement Commission to study (1) deferred retirement option plans towards developing one for police officers and (2) existing retirement medical benefits provided to police officers and their spouses The bill requires the State Retirement Commission to study:
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223 1.
deferred retirement option plans, and make recommendations for developing a state-administered plan open to any police officer in Connecticut;
and 2.
the types and levels of retirement medical benefits provided to police officers and their spouses in the state and make recommendations on providing the benefits.
As part of its studies, the commission may consult with DESPP, municipal police departments, and any other entities it deems appropriate.
The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Public Safety and Security Committee by January 1, 2025.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage § 16 — STATE POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RETURNING TO SERVICE Directs the governor to enter negotiations to amend the state police officers collective bargaining agreement to set conditions for retired officers to return to service By October 1, 2024, the bill requires the governor to start negotiating with the state police officers union to seek amendments to their collective bargaining agreement that would set conditions under which aretiredstatepoliceofficermayreturntoserviceand(1)resumeearning credit toward retirement benefits, in the same way as the retired officer earned credit before retirement, and (2) be eligible for earning his or her pre-retirement benefits.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage § 17 — MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICER RETIREES RETURNING TO SERVICE Generally, requires collective bargaining agreements between municipalities and municipal police officers to allow retired, POST-certified officers to return to part- or full- time employment The bill requires each collective bargaining agreement entered into or amended on or after July 1, 2024, between a municipality and a union that represents the municipality’s police officers to allow officers who SB421 / File No.
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223 retire and remain POST-certified to return to part- or full-time employment as a police officer with the municipality while collecting his or her pension, to the maximum extent allowed under state and federal law.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage § 18 — VOLUNTEER POLICE AUXILIARY TASK FORCE Creates a nine-member task force to (1) study the volunteer police auxiliary force and (2) make recommendations for improving and maximizing the force The bill creates a nine-member task force to study the volunteer police auxiliary force and recommend ways to improve its organization and maximize the services that auxiliary state police and municipal police officers may provide.
The task force members must be appointed within 30 days after the bill passes.
The members and their appointees are as follows:
1.
two appointments by the governor;
2.
one appointment each by the top six legislative leaders;
and 3.
the DESPP commissioner, or his designee.
The bill allows legislative appointees to be General Assembly members.
The House speaker and Senate president pro tempore must select the task force’s chairpersons from the members.
The chairpersons mustschedulethefirsttaskforcemeeting,tobeheldwithin60daysafter the bill passes, and the Public Safety and Security Committee administrative staff must serve as the task force’s administrative staff.
The bill requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the Public Safety and Security Committee by January 1, 2025.
The task force terminates on that date or when it submits the report, whichever is later.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage § 19 — DRONE PILOT PROGRAM SB421 / File No.
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223 Provides drones to law enforcement units in FY 25 through a DESPP pilot program For FY 25, the bill requires DESPP to develop a pilot program to give law enforcement units unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) to respond to service requests, assist units in assessing the dangers and needs at the scene of a request before a police officer arrives, and enhance police officer safety and the services that units provide to the public.
By October 1, 2024, the department must (1) develop the program’s eligibility criteria, application forms, and deadlines;
(2) post a description of the program on DESPP’s website that includes the criteria, forms, and deadlines;
and (3) notify units about the opportunity to apply for the program.
In identifying units for participation, DESPP must give priority to those that would most benefit from the program, including those with reduced staffing levels.
By January 1, 2026, each participating unit must submit a report to DESPP describing the unit’s use of its drones, their impact on its ability to provide services to the public, and any recommendations for the continuation or improvement of the pilot program.
DESPP must also report, by July 1, 2026, to the Public Safety and Security Committee on the program.
The report must include (1) information on the units that applied, which ones were chosen to participate, and the reasons for choosing them;
(2) a summary of the reports submitted by participating units;
(3) an analysis of the pilot program’s results;
and (4) recommendations on the continuation or expansion of the pilot, funding needs, and any necessary legislation.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage § 20 — POLICE MENTAL HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM Increases police officer mental health assistance for FY 25 through a DESPP pilot program, within available appropriations For FY 25, the bill requires DESPP to administer, within available appropriations, a pilot program to enhance programs and initiatives addressing the mental health needs of police officers at one or more law SB421 / File No.
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223 enforcement units with more than 300 officers.
The program may include the development or enhancement of peer- to-peer support programs, programs that train officers to help themselves and fellow officers deal with mental health issues associated with their jobs, programs that employ a psychologist or other mental health professionals within the unit to help officers with their mental health needs, employee assistance programs, and any other programs and resources that may address officers’ mental health needs.
By October 1, 2024, the department must (1) develop the program’s eligibility criteria, application forms, and deadlines;
(2) post a description of the program on DESPP’s website that includes the criteria, forms, and deadlines;
and (3) notify units with more than 300 officers about the opportunity to apply for the program.
By January 1, 2026, each participating unit must submit a report to DESPP describing the programs, services, and resources it provided through the pilot program, their impact on the mental health of its officers, and recommendations for the continuation or improvement of the programs, services, and resources.
DESPP must also report, by July 1, 2026, to the Public Safety and Security Committee on the program.
The report must include (1) information on the number of units that applied and which ones were chosen to participate;
(2) an analysis of the programs, services, and resources provided by units and their effectiveness in addressing officers’ mental health needs;
(3) a list of programs, services, and resourcesidentifiedasbestpracticesthatcouldbeimplementedbyunits across the state to address the mental health needs of officers;
and (4) recommendations on the pilot program, funding for specific programs, services, and resources to address the mental health needs of police officers, and any necessary legislation.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage BACKGROUND SB421 / File No.
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223 Police Officer and Law Enforcement Unit Definitions By law and under sections 5, 7-13, 15 and 19-20 of the bill, “police officers” are sworn members of an organized local police department or the State Police;
appointed constables who perform criminal law enforcement duties;
special police officers appointed under law (e.g., public assistance fraud investigators);
or any members of a law enforcement unit who perform police duties (CGS § 7-294a(9)).
A “law enforcement unit” is any state or municipal agency or department (or tribal agency or department created and governed under a memorandum of agreement) whose primary functions include enforcing criminal or traffic laws;
preserving public order;
protecting life and property;
or preventing, detecting, or investigating crime (CGS § 7-294a(8)).
Distressed Municipality The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) annually ranks municipalities based on their relative economic and fiscal distress and designates the top 25 as “distressed municipalities” (CGS§32-9p(b)).Mostrecently,in2023,DECDdesignatedthefollowing municipalities as distressed:
Ansonia, Bridgeport, Chaplin, Derby, East Hartford, East Haven, Griswold, Hartford, Lisbon, Mansfield, Meriden, Montville, New Britain, New London, Norwich, Plymouth, Putnam, Sprague, Sterling, Torrington, Voluntown, Waterbury, West Haven, Winchester, and Windham.
Related Bills SB231 (File 138), favorably reportedby thePublic Safety andSecurity Committee, requires DESPP to administer a grant program for law enforcement units and municipal and volunteer fire departments to buy drones.
The department must do this within available appropriations, starting in FY 25 and each fiscal year after.
sSB 3, § 4, favorably reported by the General Law Committee, among other things, prohibits public entities (including police and fire departments) from operating drones assembled or manufactured by certain foreign entities (e.g., China and Russia) starting October 1, 2025.
SB421 / File No.
223 37 SB421 File No.
223 COMMITTEE ACTION Public Safety and Security Committee Joint Favorable Yea 25 Nay 0 (03/19/2024) SB421 / File No.
223 38
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Action History

  1. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 474

  2. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  3. RULES SUSPENDED,TRANS.TO HOUSE

  4. SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  5. SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  6. FILE NO. 223

  7. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 169

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

  9. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  10. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/02/24

  11. FILED WITH LCO

  12. Joint Favorable

  13. PUBLIC HEARING 0312

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

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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8 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 179 not signed on

Sponsors (8)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (179)

179 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 179 →

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Senate Roll Call Vote

Passed 35 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 22001
Unaffiliated 3000
Republican 10000
Total 35001
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (36)
Member Party Vote
Kevin C. Kelly — Yea
Lisa Seminara — Yea
Marilyn Moore — Yea
Bob Duff Democratic Yea
Catherine A. Osten Democratic Yea
Ceci Maher Democratic Yea
Christine Cohen Democratic Yea
Derek Slap Democratic Yea
Douglas McCrory Democratic Yea
Gary A. Winfield Democratic Yea
Herron Gaston Democratic Yea
James J. Maroney Democratic Yea
Jan Hochadel Democratic Yea
Joan V. Hartley Democratic Yea
John W. Fonfara Democratic Yea
Jorge Cabrera Democratic Yea
Julie Kushner Democratic Yea
MD Rahman Democratic Yea
Mae Flexer Democratic Yea
Martha Marx Democratic Yea
Martin M. Looney Democratic Yea
Matthew L. Lesser Democratic Yea
Norman Needleman Democratic Yea
Patricia Billie Miller Democratic Yea
Rick Lopes Democratic Not Voting
Saud Anwar Democratic Yea
Eric C. Berthel Republican Yea
Heather S. Somers Republican Yea
Henri Martin Republican Yea
Jeff Gordon Republican Yea
John A. Kissel Republican Yea
Paul Cicarella Republican Yea
Rob Sampson Republican Yea
Ryan Fazio Republican Yea
Stephen G. Harding Republican Yea
Tony Hwang Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety labor education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 421?
SB 421 is sponsored by Fred Gee (Democratic), Martin M. Looney (Democratic), Gary A. Turco, Herron Gaston (Democratic), Kerry S. Wood (Democratic), Saud Anwar (Democratic), Rob Sampson (Republican), and Kathy Kennedy (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 421?
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 421?
Track SB 421 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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