CT HB06863

Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection must develop a statewide law enforcement promotion campaign by January 1, 2024, with $500,000 appropriated; Department must hire a full-time cadet/explorer program coordinator and allocate $5,000 annually to each municipal police department operating such programs

Establishes grant programs to reimburse municipal police departments for basic training costs and provide salary increase grants to the top ten most populous municipalities for police officers

Expands tuition waivers at Connecticut community colleges, state universities, and UConn to include police officers employed in the state for at least two years and dependent children of officers employed for at least five years

Creates a police officer loan reimbursement program for officers with 10+ years of service, providing up to $5,000 annually (10% of loans) for up to 10 years; allows lawful permanent residents to be employed as police officers

Requires State Retirement Commission to study deferred retirement option plans and retirement medical benefits by January 1, 2024; mandates future municipal collective bargaining agreements allow retired officers to return to part-time or full-time work while collecting pensions