AR SB977

Establishes "secondary public safety answering point" as a new definition for locations where 911 calls are transferred from a primary public safety answering point.

Increases annual funding for dispatcher training from $120,000 to $200,000 per state fiscal year, transferred to the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

Requires public safety answering points to submit annual reports by April 1 including dispatcher names, hire dates, termination dates, and completion of approved training courses.

Mandates that beginning January 1, 2017, the board shall withhold quarterly disbursements from any jurisdiction until 50% of its dispatchers complete required dispatcher training and continuing education approved by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

Expands dispatcher and supervisor training topics to include specific areas such as call taking, customer service, stress management, mapping, call processing, telecommunication training, autism awareness, and incident management systems.