HB 5552 Summary

• Establishes a task force effective immediately to study the volunteer police auxiliary force authorized under Connecticut general statutes section 29-22, with membership appointed by legislative leaders, the Governor, and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

• Task force must identify duties for auxiliary members, recruitment and retention strategies, minimum training requirements, and other barriers to effective use of volunteers to supplement Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection personnel.

• Task force shall submit findings and recommendations to the Commissioner and joint standing committee on public safety and security by January 1, 2020, then terminate.

• Repeals and replaces section 29-22 effective January 1, 2020, authorizing the Commissioner to recruit, train, and organize a volunteer police auxiliary force with membership not exceeding twice the number of sworn state police personnel, with authority to provide uniforms and special police powers for emergency duties.

• Requires volunteer police auxiliary members to receive death, disability, and injury compensation under state workers' compensation laws (chapter 568 and sections 5-142 and 5-144), whether they are state/municipal employees or private citizens.