Senate Bill 1101 Summary

• Increases the firefighters training council from 7 to 9 members, with the additional members representing fire inspectors and regional appointees selected from various fire service organizations.

• Changes the council's leadership structure from governor-designated chairperson to council-elected chairperson and vice-chairperson serving 1-year terms.

• Establishes certification requirements for full-time fire chiefs hired after January 1, 2017, requiring council certification within 3 years of hire, with grandfather provisions for those hired before that date.

• Creates a disciplinary process allowing the council to suspend or revoke certifications for violations including felony convictions, fraudulent applications, and misconduct, with judicial review through the court of claims.

• Adds new employment history record-keeping requirements for fire departments and public safety departments, and grants the council authority to investigate violations and issue subpoenas in contested disciplinary cases.