CT HB05544

Establishes definitions for "regional emergency telecommunications center" (serving 3+ municipalities with 40,000+ population or 12,000+ annual 9-1-1 calls) and "multitown public safety answering point" (serving 2 municipalities with same thresholds), effective January 1, 2018.

Requires public safety answering points serving populations under 40,000 or processing fewer than 12,000 annual 9-1-1 calls to provide written notice by July 1, 2018 of intent to consolidate into regional centers or multitown answering points by July 1, 2020, or remain independent.

Makes consolidated public safety answering points ineligible for state funding starting fiscal year 2020 unless they meet the size thresholds; smaller independent answering points must reimburse the state for equipment maintenance, infrastructure, and telecommunicator training costs.

Adds grant program under regional performance incentive program allowing municipalities to apply for funding to cover operating costs of transitioning to regional emergency telecommunications centers or multitown public safety answering points, effective October 1, 2016.

Clarifies that municipal employers jointly providing emergency service telecommunications as regional centers or multitown answering points constitute a municipal employer for collective bargaining purposes, with employee organization representation rights retained.