CT HB07199

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority must develop a mortgage assistance program for paid and volunteer firefighters purchasing homes in their service communities, using down payment assistance or housing subsidies, effective July 1, 2025

Tuition waivers at community colleges, state universities, and UConn extended to uniformed firefighters with 2+ years of service, their dependent children (if parent has 5+ years of service), and students attending the state fire school

State Retirement Commission required to establish a Volunteer Firefighter Length-of-Service Award Program with a dedicated trust fund, providing annual awards to eligible volunteers who vest after 5 years of service credit

Municipalities hiring firefighters within 2 years of completing entry-level training at another municipality must reimburse 50% of the original training costs to the initial employer

Task force on firefighter and EMS personnel shortages from Special Act 23-1 reactivated with new deadlines: appointments by July 1, 2025, first meeting by August 1, 2025, and final report due January 1, 2026