Chapter 528

Sec. 29-1c. (Formerly Sec. 28e-2). Uniform crime reporting system. (a) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall establish a state-wide uniform crime reporting system within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and shall develop policy concerning the use of data obtained through said system.

(b) Each organized police department shall participate in the state-wide uniform crime reporting system by submitting to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, at such times and on such forms as said commissioner may prescribe, a uniform crime report concerning crimes committed within such organized police department's jurisdiction. Such report shall contain the number and nature of offenses committed and such other information as the commissioner shall require.

(c) If an organized police department fails to submit the report required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or if information required to be contained in such report is missing, incomplete or incorrect, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall notify the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division within the Office of Policy and Management and the chief elected official of the municipality in which such police department is located of such failure or such missing, incomplete or incorrect information. Such notice to the chief elected official of the municipality shall include a statement of the consequences to the municipality of the failure to submit such a report or the submission of a report with missing, incomplete or incorrect information. The Office of Policy and Management may deny a municipality eligibility for state or federal law enforcement grants if its police department has failed to submit such report or submitted a report with missing, incomplete or incorrect information. For purposes of this subsection, information is missing, incomplete or incorrect if so designated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or if not submitted within sixty days of the end of the month in which such information is required to be reported.

(d) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may establish an advisory board composed of police chiefs from organized police departments to assist him in developing such policy referred to in subsection (a) of this section. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may, with the advice and assistance of said board, if so established, adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, necessary to implement and maintain the state-wide uniform crime reporting system.

(e) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall publish an annual report concerning the extent, fluctuation, distribution and nature of crime in Connecticut. The annual report shall include a specific analysis of the nature, extent and pattern of sex crimes in the state.

(P.A. 79-406; P.A. 93-340, S. 7, 19; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 13-192, S. 1.)

History: (Revisor's note: Sec. 29-1c was formerly published as Sec. 28e-2. In 1983 it was decided that a separate title 28e devoted to public safety was unnecessary and the title was abolished and this section transferred to its present number. At the same time title 29 was expanded with the transfer from title 19 of several topics which were brought under the jurisdiction of the department of public safety by public act 77-614, entitled An Act Concerning the Reorganization of the Executive Branch of State Government, and subsequent legislation); P.A. 93-340 amended Subsec. (d) to require the annual report to include a specific analysis of sex crimes, effective July 1, 1993; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” and “Department of Public Safety” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection” and “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-192 added new Subsec. (c) re procedure and consequences if police department fails to submit report or submits report with missing, incomplete or incorrect information and redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (d) and (e).

Sec. 29-1d. Local crime stoppers program. Definition. Evidence of certain communications not admissible. (a) As used in this section, “local crime stoppers program” means a private, nonprofit organization operated on less than a state-wide level, which accepts and expends donations for rewards to persons who report to the organization information concerning criminal activity, and which forwards the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(b) Evidence of a communication between a person submitting a report of criminal activity to a local crime stoppers program and the person who accepted the report on behalf of the local crime stoppers program is not admissible in a court or an administrative proceeding.

(P.A. 84-540, S. 1–3, 7; P.A. 95-12.)

History: P.A. 95-12 deleted Subsecs. (b) to (g), inclusive, re Crime Stoppers Advisory Council, relettering remaining Subsec. as (b) and deleting references to the council.

Sec. 29-1e. Missing Children Information Clearinghouse. Definitions. Duties. Missing child reports. (a) There is established a Missing Children Information Clearinghouse within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The clearinghouse shall be supervised by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, who shall establish services deemed appropriate by the department to aid in the location of missing children.

(b) As used in this section:

(1) “Missing child” means any person who is under the age of eighteen years, whose temporary or permanent residence is in Connecticut or is believed to be in Connecticut, whose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency.

(2) “Missing child report” is a report prepared on a form designed by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for the use by private citizens and law enforcement agencies to report missing children information to the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse.

(c) The clearinghouse is established as a central repository of information regarding missing children and other missing persons. Such information shall be collected and disseminated to assist in the location of missing children. The clearinghouse shall:

(1) Establish a system of intrastate communication of information relating to children determined to be missing by the parent, guardian or legal custodian of the child, or by a law enforcement agency;

(2) Provide a centralized file for the exchange of information on missing children within the state;

(3) Interface with the National Crime Information Center for the exchange of information on children suspected of interstate travel;

(4) Collect, process, maintain and disseminate information on missing children and shall strive to maintain or disseminate only accurate and complete information;

(5) Establish procedures to maintain the confidentiality of the medical information of any missing child or other missing person that is collected, discovered or otherwise obtained pursuant to the provisions of this section or section 29-1f, including procedures providing that no such medical information shall be disseminated to the public without the consent of the parent, guardian or legal custodian of any such missing child or, in the case of a missing person other than a missing child, the spouse, parent, sibling, child or next of kin of such person; and

(6) Conduct investigations concerning missing children in this state and cooperate with local law enforcement agencies and other state and federal agencies in investigations concerning missing children.

(d) All state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies shall submit to the clearinghouse all missing child reports received by any such agency.

(e) (1) Any parent, guardian or legal custodian may submit a missing child report to the clearinghouse on any child whose whereabouts is unknown, regardless of the circumstances, subsequent to the reporting of such to the appropriate law enforcement agency within the county in which the child became missing, which shall be included in the clearinghouse data base.

(2) The parent, guardian or legal custodian responsible for notifying the clearinghouse or a law enforcement agency of a missing child shall immediately notify such agency or the clearinghouse of any child whose location has been determined.

(P.A. 85-441, S. 1, 4; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 13-226, S. 1.)

History: (Revisor's note: In 1997 the words “The Department of” in the phrase “commissioner of the Department of Public Safety” in Subsec. (a) were deleted editorially by the Revisors for consistency with customary statutory usage); pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” and “Department of Public Safety” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection” and “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-226 amended Subsec. (b) to add new Subdiv. (5) re procedures to maintain confidentiality of medical information and redesignate existing Subdiv. (5) as Subdiv. (6).

Sec. 29-1f. Clearinghouse to assist in location of missing persons other than children. (a) The clearinghouse established under section 29-1e shall collect, process, maintain and disseminate information to assist in the location of any missing person who (1) is eighteen years of age or older and has a mental impairment, or (2) is sixty-five years of age or older, provided a missing person report prepared by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection has been filed by such missing person's relative, guardian, conservator or agent appointed by the missing person in accordance with sections 1-350 to 1-353b, inclusive, any health care representative appointed by the missing person in accordance with section 19a-576 or a nursing home administrator, as defined in section 19a-511, or, pursuant to section 17a-465b, by an employee of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services who is certified under the provisions of sections 7-294a to 7-294e, inclusive. Such relative, guardian, conservator, agent, health care representative, nursing home administrator or employee shall attest under penalty of perjury that the missing person (A) is eighteen years of age or older and has a mental impairment, or (B) is sixty-five years of age or older. No other proof shall be required in order to verify that the missing person meets the criteria to be eligible for assistance under this subsection. Such relative, guardian, conservator, agent, health care representative, nursing home administrator or employee who files a missing person report shall immediately notify the clearinghouse or law enforcement agency if the missing person's location has been determined.

(b) Subject to available resources, the clearinghouse established by section 29-1e may collect, process, maintain and disseminate information to assist in the location of missing persons other than children and those persons who are eligible for assistance under subsection (a) of this section.

(P.A. 85-441, S. 2, 4; P.A. 09-109, S. 2; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 12-48, S. 1; P.A. 15-240, S. 56; P.A. 16-40, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 09-109 added Subsec. (a) re use of clearinghouse to assist in location of missing persons 65 years of age or older and missing persons 18 years of age or older with mental impairment, designated existing provisions as Subsec. (b) and added provision therein re persons eligible for assistance under Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2009; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-48 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize filing of missing person report pursuant to Sec. 17a-465b by certified employee of Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and make attestation and notification requirements applicable to such employee; P.A. 15-240 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by substituting “agent” for “attorney-in-fact” and by substituting “sections 1-350 to 1-353b, inclusive” for “chapter 7”, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 16-40 changed effective date of P.A. 15-240, S. 56, from July 1, 2016, to October 1, 2016, effective May 27, 2016.

Sec. 29-1g. Child support enforcement. Special policemen. Appointment. Powers. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may appoint not more than six persons nominated by the Commissioner of Social Services as special policemen in the Office of Child Support Services of the Department of Social Services for the service of any warrant or capias mittimus issued by the courts on child support matters. Such appointees, having been sworn, shall serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and, during such tenure, shall have all the powers conferred on state policemen and state marshals.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 58, 63; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 00-99, S. 72, 154; P.A. 06-149, S. 6; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5, S. 45; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 16-13, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 00-99 replaced reference to sheriffs and their deputies with state marshals, effective December 1, 2000; P.A. 06-149 increased number of special policeman from 2 to 4 and made a technical change; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5 changed maximum number of special policemen appointments from 4 to 6, effective October 5, 2009; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 16-13 replaced “Bureau of Child Support Enforcement” with “Office of Child Support Services”, effective May 6, 2016.

Sec. 29-1h. Child Protection Network program. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall study the feasibility of establishing a program to assemble and distribute informational packages on the “Child Protection Network” to each municipality that requests such packages. Such program would be patterned after the Child Protection Network program established by the town of Middlefield and would include, but not be limited to, a child-identification system, instructions for participating in such system, informational brochures and signs stating, “NOTICE - THIS IS A KID PROTECTION AREA. WE CALL 911.” Each municipality requesting such a package would pay a reasonable fee to be determined by the department.

(P.A. 95-225, S. 47; P.A. 11-51, S. 134.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 29-1i. Missing adult persons. (a) For the purposes of this section and section 7-294o, “law enforcement agency” means the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or any municipal police department, and “adult person” means an individual who has attained the age of eighteen years.

(b) A law enforcement agency shall accept without delay any report of a missing adult person.

(c) The unit of the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection that investigates missing adult persons shall, as appropriate, enter all collected information relating to a missing adult person case into the National Crime Information Center database and any other applicable federal database with all practicable speed.

(P.A. 11-51, S. 134; 11-102, S. 1.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 29-1j. Public safety data network. (a) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in consultation with the Chief Information Officer of the Division of Information Technology within the Department of Administrative Services, shall establish a public safety data network in an electronic format that allows for the exchange of information among public safety and criminal justice entities.

(b) Prior to July 1, 2012, the Division of State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications shall create technical and operational standards for the establishment of the public safety data network.

(c) The commissioner shall ensure that implementation of the public safety data network complies with all state and federal requirements for controlled or limited access data.

(d) The commissioner may enter into memoranda of understanding with public safety or criminal justice agencies that are connecting to the public safety data network concerning the use of the network. Such memoranda may address cost-sharing related to such use.

(e) Sources of revenue that provide funding for existing networks may be used to fund the use of the public safety data network.

(P.A. 12-68, S. 1; P.A. 16-150, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 12-68 effective May 31, 2012; P.A. 16-150 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Office” with “Division”.

Sec. 29-1k. Emergency alert system to assist in apprehension of persons suspected of killing or seriously injuring peace officers or in location of missing peace officers. (a) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall establish an emergency alert system to assist law enforcement agencies in the apprehension of persons suspected of killing or seriously injuring peace officers or in the location of missing peace officers. The department shall develop and implement policies and procedures for the operation and administration of the system including, but not limited to, procedures for a law enforcement agency to request activation of the system and guidelines to ensure that the dissemination of information will not compromise the investigation of the offense or disappearance or violate the privacy of the peace officer who is the subject of the alert or of the officer's next-of-kin.

(b) The department may activate the system and issue an alert only if it determines, after consultation with the law enforcement agency requesting such activation, that:

(1) A peace officer: (A) Has been assaulted by another person resulting in such officer's death or serious physical injury or has been assaulted by another person with a deadly weapon, and the person suspected of such assault (i) has not been apprehended, and (ii) poses an imminent threat to the public or other peace officers, or (B) is missing while in the performance of such officer's duties under circumstances warranting concern for such officer's safety;

(2) Sufficient descriptive information is available to disseminate to the public concerning (A) the suspect or the suspect's vehicle or other means of escape, or (B) the circumstances of the peace officer's disappearance; and

(3) Dissemination of such information to the public could assist in apprehending the suspect, locating the missing peace officer or averting injury to any other person.

(c) As used in this section, “peace officer”, “serious physical injury” and “deadly weapon” have the same meanings as provided in section 53a-3.

(P.A. 13-24, S. 1.)

Sec. 29-1l. Notification of incident. Policy re dissemination of information on incident. (a) On and after October 1, 2013, in the event of any incident involving numerous victims or casualties, the chief or superintendent of the local police department having jurisdiction over the municipality where such incident occurred or, where there is no organized local police department, the commanding officer of the state police troop having jurisdiction over such municipality may notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such incident. Upon receipt of such notification, said commissioner shall, by any means he or she deems appropriate, notify all organized local police departments in the state and all state police troops of the incident, the location and time of the incident and any other information said commissioner deems appropriate for dissemination to local police departments and state police troops.

(b) Not later than October 1, 2013, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in conjunction with the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, shall adopt a written policy concerning the type of information that shall be disseminated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and the method of accomplishing the dissemination of such information.

(P.A. 13-221, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 13-221 effective June 25, 2013.

Secs. 29-1m and 29-1n. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 29-1o. Definitions. As used in sections 29-1p and 29-1q:

(1) “Genuine terrorist threat” means an incident, threat or activity involving an act of domestic or international terrorism sufficient to affect public safety that is deemed credible.

(2) “Local chief elected official” means the mayor, selectman or town manager of a city or town.

(P.A. 06-151, S. 1.)

Sec. 29-1p. Determination of genuine terrorist threat. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may assess threats to public safety to determine when a threat qualifies as a genuine terrorist threat. The commissioner may consult with whatever agencies or officials the commissioner deems appropriate for such evaluation.

(P.A. 06-151, S. 2; P.A. 11-51, S. 166.)

History: P.A. 11-51 replaced “Commissioner of Public Safety” with “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, deleted former Subsec. (b) re reporting genuine terrorist threats and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 29-1q. Communication with local officials. (a) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall develop a method of direct communication with local chief elected officials.

(b) Whenever bomb detection personnel are sent to a location in response to a threat received at the state level, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall immediately notify the local police chief of the location of the potential threat. The local police chief shall immediately notify the chief elected official of the municipality.

(P.A. 06-151, S. 3; P.A. 11-51, S. 134.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 29-1r. Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Appointment of commissioner. Successor to Departments of Public Safety and Emergency Management and Homeland Security. (a) There is established a Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Said department shall be the designated emergency management and homeland security agency for the state. The department head shall be the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, with the powers and duties prescribed in said sections. The commissioner shall be responsible for providing a coordinated, integrated program for the protection of life and property and for state-wide emergency management and homeland security. The commissioner shall appoint not more than two deputy commissioners who shall, under the direction of the commissioner, assist in the administration of the department. The commissioner may do all things necessary to apply for, qualify for and accept any federal funds made available or allotted under any federal act for emergency management or homeland security.

(b) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall constitute a successor agency to the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39.

(c) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall constitute a successor agency to the Department of Public Safety, except as to chapters 531, 532 and 538 to 541a, inclusive, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39.

(d) Any order or regulation of the Department of Public Safety, which is in force on July 1, 2011, except those orders or regulations pertaining to chapters 531, 532 and 538 to 541a, inclusive, shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law. Where any order or regulation of said departments or the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security conflict, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may implement policies and procedures consistent with the provisions of this section and sections 3-122, 3-123, 3-123e, 4-5 and 4-38c, subsections (k) and (l) of section 4a-100 and sections 4b-136, 5-182, 7-294b, 7-294d, 7-294e, 7-294p, 7-323k, 7-323l, 7-323p, 7-521, 10a-55a, 14-283a, 16a-13b, 16a-106, 19a-487, 21a-274a, 22a-601, 28-1, 28-1a, 28-1i, 28-24, 28-29a, 29-1b, 29-1p, 29-4, 29-5, 29-36l, 29-179i, 51-291, 51-293, 51-296, 53-202d, 54-1m, 54-64g and 54-142q while in the process of adopting the policy or procedure in regulation form, provided notice of intention to adopt regulations is printed in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementation. The policy or procedure shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.

(P.A. 11-51, S. 133; P.A. 13-299, S. 21.)

History: P.A. 11-51 effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-299 amended Subsec. (d) to delete reference to Sec. 4d-90, effective July 1, 2013.

See Sec. 14-315 re street and highway safety and accident prevention.

Sec. 29-1s. Commissioner and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection substituted for former commissioners and departments. Section 29-1s is repealed, effective July 1, 2013.

(P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 12-80, S. 192; 12-81, S. 24; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 245–247; P.A. 13-25, S. 7; 13-32, S. 9; 13-234, S. 88; 13-299, S. 95.)

Sec. 29-1t. Coordinating Advisory Board. (a) There is established a Coordinating Advisory Board to advise the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with respect to: (1) Strategies to improve internal and external communication and cooperation in the provision of emergency response services on the state and local level; (2) strategies to improve emergency response and incident management in areas including, but not limited to, communications and use of technology and the coordination and implementation of state and federally required emergency response plans; (3) improvements in the state's use of regional management structures; and (4) strengthening cooperation and communication among federal, state and local governments, the Connecticut National Guard, police, fire, emergency medical and other first responders, emergency managers and public health officials.

(b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or said commissioner's designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the Coordinating Advisory Board. The board shall consist of: (1) The president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association or a designee, representing volunteer firefighters; (2) the president of the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association or a designee, representing professional firefighters; (3) the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or a designee, representing municipal police officers; (4) the executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities or a designee; (5) the executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns or a designee; (6) a member of the Police Officer Standards Training Council, designated by the chairperson of said council; (7) a member of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, designated by the chairperson of said commission; (8) the president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association or a designee; (9) the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association or a designee; (10) the president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association or a designee; (11) the president of the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association or a designee; (12) the Commissioner of Public Health; (13) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services; (14) the Commissioner of Children and Families; and (15) one representative, designated by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, from each of the divisions of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, State Police, Scientific Services and State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Said board shall convene quarterly and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

(c) Not later than January 2, 2012, and annually thereafter, the board shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety concerning its findings and recommendations with respect to any communication and cooperation necessary to enhance state and local government emergency response and the protection of the citizens of the state.

(P.A. 11-51, S. 137; 11-61, S. 95; P.A. 12-9, S. 1; P.A. 13-32, S. 10; P.A. 16-150, S. 16; P.A. 22-47, S. 24.)

History: P.A. 11-51 effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (b) by adding new Subdiv. (8) re president of Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, adding new Subdiv. (9) re president of Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, adding new Subdiv. (10) re president of Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association, adding new Subdiv. (11) re Commissioner of Public Health, and redesignating existing Subdiv. (8) as Subdiv. (12), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-9 amended Subsec. (b) by adding new Subdiv. (5) re executive director of Connecticut Council of Small Towns and redesignating existing Subdivs. (5) to (12) as Subdivs. (6) to (13), effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-32 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 16-150 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to Council 15 in Subdiv. (3) and by deleting reference to Office of State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications and adding reference to Division of State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications in Subdiv. (13); P.A. 22-47 amended Subsec. (b) by adding new Subdiv. (13) re Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services and adding Subdiv. (14) re Commissioner of Children and Families and redesignating existing Subdiv. (13) as Subdiv. (15).

Sec. 29-1u. Connecticut medal of bravery. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection is authorized to award the Connecticut medal of bravery directly or posthumously to any citizen of the state in recognition of a valorous and heroic deed performed in saving a life or for injury or death or threat of injury or death incurred in the service of the state or such citizen's community or on behalf of the health, welfare or safety of other persons. Recommendations for the Connecticut medal of bravery may be submitted to the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, by any member of the public.

(P.A. 13-247, S. 113.)

Secs. 29-1v to 29-1z. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 29-1aa. Bond authorization for buy-out program for homeowners and businesses that receive Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for flood hazard mitigation or property damage. (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate two million dollars.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for the purpose of implementing a buy-out program for homeowners or businesses that receive funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for flood hazard mitigation or property damage due to weather events in the calendar year 2011 and subsequent years. To be eligible for funding from said department, homeowners or businesses shall (1) qualify for funding under a Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation grant program designed to provide disaster assistance to homeowners or businesses, and (2) meet any eligibility criteria established by said department. No grant to an individual homeowner or business under this section shall be in excess of fifty thousand dollars, or the limit set by the applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency program, whichever is less. Priority shall be given to eligible applicants with property damage that occurred during a natural disaster declared by the President of the United States.

(c) All provisions of section 3-20, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

(P.A. 12-189, S. 40; P.A. 14-98, S. 42; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-4, S. 255; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 449.)

History: P.A. 12-189 effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 14-98 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing aggregate authorization from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000, effective July 1, 2014; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-4 amended Subsec. (a) by decreasing aggregate authorization from $3,000,000 to $2,800,000 and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a) by decreasing aggregate authorization from $2,800,000 to $2,000,000, effective October 31, 2017.

Sec. 29-1bb. Eligible nonprofit organization security infrastructure competitive grant program. (a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection;

(2) “Department” means the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection;

(3) “Eligible expenses” means expenses incurred by an eligible nonprofit organization for items and training described in subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of this section that are eligible for a grant pursuant to this section;

(4) “Eligible nonprofit organization” means an organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, and that is at heightened risk, as determined by the commissioner, of being the target of a terrorist attack, hate crime or violent act;

(5) “Eligible nonprofit organization building” means a building in the state that is owned by an eligible nonprofit organization;

(6) “Eligible nonprofit organization applicant” means an organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, and that applies for a grant pursuant to subsection (d) of this section; and

(7) “Eligible nonprofit organization applicant building” means a building in the state that is owned by an eligible nonprofit organization applicant.

(b) (1) On or before May 1, 2020, the commissioner shall develop eligible nonprofit organization building security infrastructure criteria for eligible nonprofit organization buildings that are the subject of grants awarded pursuant to this section. Such criteria shall conform to industry standards for building security infrastructure and shall address areas including, but not limited to, (A) entryways to eligible nonprofit organization buildings and rooms, such as reinforcement of entryways, ballistic glass, solid core doors, double door access, computer-controlled electronic locks, remote locks on all entrance and exits and buzzer systems, (B) the use of cameras throughout an eligible nonprofit organization building and at all entrances and exits, including the use of closed-circuit television monitoring, (C) penetration resistant vestibules, and (D) other security infrastructure improvements and devices as they become industry standards.

(2) On or before May 1, 2020, the commissioner shall develop a checklist for eligible nonprofit organization applicants to use to assess the safety and security of eligible nonprofit organization applicant buildings, pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section, for purposes of grant eligibility pursuant to this section. Such checklist shall include measures to assess eligible nonprofit organization applicant buildings and eligible nonprofit organization applicants' communications systems, building access control and surveillance, utility systems, mechanical systems and emergency power.

(c) The department shall administer an eligible nonprofit organization security infrastructure competitive grant program to provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations for eligible expenses for eligible nonprofit organization buildings incurred on or after July 1, 2019, for: (1) The development or improvement of the security infrastructure of eligible nonprofit organization buildings, based on the results of eligible nonprofit organization buildings security assessments conducted pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section, including, but not limited to, the installation of surveillance cameras, penetration resistant vestibules, ballistic glass, solid core doors, double door access, computer-controlled electronic locks, entry door buzzer systems, scan card systems, panic alarms, real time interoperable communications and multimedia sharing infrastructure or other systems; and (2) (A) the training of eligible nonprofit organization personnel in the operation and maintenance of the security infrastructure of eligible nonprofit organization buildings, and (B) the purchase of portable entrance security devices, including, but not limited to, metal detector wands and screening machines and related training.

(d) On and after May 1, 2020, any eligible nonprofit organization applicant that owns an eligible nonprofit organization applicant building may apply, in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, to the department for a grant for eligible expenses for eligible nonprofit organization buildings incurred on or after July 1, 2019, for the purposes described in subsection (c) of this section. The commissioner shall require all eligible nonprofit organization applicants to submit information to the department to demonstrate that such eligible nonprofit organization applicant is at a heightened risk of being the target of a terrorist attack, hate crime or violent act. The commissioner shall evaluate such information based on neutral criteria applied equally to all eligible nonprofit organization applicants. The commissioner shall determine which expenses are eligible under the program and whether to approve or deny an application in accordance with the eligible nonprofit organization building security infrastructure criteria developed pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section and upon a determination that the eligible nonprofit organization applicant is at a heightened risk of being the target of a terrorist attack, hate crime or violent act.

(e) (1) An eligible nonprofit organization may receive a grant of not more than fifty thousand dollars pursuant to this section, provided fifty per cent of such grant shall be made available to such eligible nonprofit organization when such eligible nonprofit organization presents to the commissioner a contract in which such eligible nonprofit organization will incur eligible expenses for security infrastructure, and fifty per cent of such grant shall be made available to such eligible nonprofit organization when such eligible nonprofit organization demonstrates to the commissioner that the eligible nonprofit organization has incurred all of the eligible expenses pursuant to such contract.

(2) To be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section, an eligible nonprofit organization applicant shall provide for a uniform assessment of its eligible nonprofit organization applicant buildings, including any security infrastructure, using the checklist developed by the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section. The assessment may be conducted under the supervision of the local law enforcement agency.

(P.A. 20-1, S. 83; P.A. 21-111, S. 90.)

History: P.A. 20-1, effective March 12, 2020; P.A. 21-111 amended Subsec. (d) by deleting existing Subdiv. (1) designator and “and before July 31, 2020,” therein, and deleting former Subdiv. (2) re if aggregate dollar amount for grants is less than 5,000,000, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 29-1cc. Bond authorization for eligible nonprofit organization security infrastructure competitive grant program. (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate twenty million dollars, provided five million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2022.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for the purpose of the eligible nonprofit organization security infrastructure competitive grant program, established pursuant to section 29-1bb.

(P.A. 20-1 effective March 12, 2020; P.A. 21-111, S. 91.)

History: P.A. 20-1 effective March 12, 2020; P.A. 21-111 amended Subsec. (a) to increase aggregate authorization from $5,000,000 to $20,000,000, of which $5,000,000 is effective July 1, 2022, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 29-1dd. Prevention of online abuse grant program. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Eligible entity” means any of the following located in this state: (A) A local or regional school district, (B) a historical society, (C) a tax-exempt entity registered with the office of the Secretary of the State, (D) a government agency, (E) a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, (F) a public library, or (G) any other entity operating under another entity described in this subdivision; and

(2) “Online abuse” means the following acts, when conducted using any interactive computer service: (A) Speech or conduct motivated by hatred, prejudice or bigotry towards a person or group based on the person's actual or perceived religion, national origin, alienage, color, race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or disability, (B) harassment, (C) stalking, (D) swatting, (E) doxing, or (F) an assault.

(b) There is established a grant program to provide educational and training opportunities with the goal of preventing online abuse and informing individuals about identifying, reporting, responding to and avoiding online abuse. The grant program shall be administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in consultation with the State-Wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council, established under section 51-279f.

(c) Not later than three months after receiving funds from the state for any fiscal year, the administrator of the grant program shall issue a request for proposals from any eligible entity. Each response to the request for proposals shall: Specify the types of online abuse that the entity proposes to address in accordance with the purposes of the program under subsection (b) of this section; the methods used to achieve the goals of the program; other specific goals of the eligible entity; the target audience of the training and information that the entity would provide; whether the eligible entity is replicating a program found to have a high likelihood of success as determined by a cost-benefit analysis appearing in a peer reviewed academic journal; and the amount, if any, of matching funds the eligible entity will contribute.

(d) The department may award grants for any programming or service that prevents online abuse or furthers the other goals of the program under subsection (b) of this section, including training teachers or professionals within schools, archiving, public murals, curriculum development and marketing. Eligible entities may use the funds awarded under this subsection collectively, including regionally, through coordinated efforts and conferences that achieve the goals of the program.

(e) The department may only award a grant to an eligible entity in an amount not to exceed thirty thousand dollars during any fiscal year.

(P.A. 22-82, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 22-82 effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 29-1ee. Speed enforcement on rural roads grant program. On and after July 1, 2022, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, within available resources, administer a grant program to provide grants-in-aid to eligible municipalities for speed enforcement activities on rural roads. Any municipality that has a population of less than twenty-five thousand that has a law enforcement unit or resident state trooper may apply for such grants in such manner as the department prescribes. The department shall award grants of up to five thousand dollars to eligible municipalities, and may award not more than a total of ten grants to any such municipality. The department shall continue to award grants until all resources dedicated to such grant program have been expended.

(P.A. 22-118, S. 78.)

History: P.A. 22-118 effective May 7, 2022.

Sec. 29-1ff. Pilot program re the collection of fire and rescue service data. (a) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in consultation with the Commissioner of Administrative Services, the State Fire Marshal, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the chairman of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, shall, within available appropriations, establish and administer a pilot program for the purpose of implementing a data collection system related to fire and rescue service delivery in the state. For a period of three years commencing from July 1, 2022, the commissioner shall administer such pilot program in any local or regional fire department or district that has self-identified as challenged or in crisis regarding the delivery of fire and rescue services.

(b) Any local or regional fire department or district may apply for participation in the data collection program. Any application submitted pursuant to this subsection shall include a written statement by the fire department or district that it is currently challenged or in crisis regarding the delivery of fire and rescue services.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the Tolland County Mutual Aid Emergency Communications Center, the Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications Center, the Litchfield County Dispatch, the Valley Shore Emergency Communications Center and the Northwest Connecticut Public Safety Communications Center may elect to participate in the data collection program upon request.

(d) Not later than sixty days after the commissioner approves the application of any local or regional fire department or district pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner shall admit such fire department or district to the data collection program.

(e) For the purposes of data collection pursuant to such pilot program, the commissioner shall either utilize the National Fire Operations Reporting System or develop a data collection system capable of real-time tracking information relevant to fire and rescue responses, including, but not limited to (1) call processing time, (2) alarm handling, and (3) turnout time. The commissioner shall provide to any fire department or district participating in the program monthly reports of the data collected for such fire department or district pursuant to the program.

(f) On or before July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall conduct an evaluation of the fire and rescue data collection pilot program. Such evaluation shall address the overall effectiveness of the pilot program in collecting the relevant data. The commissioner shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, such evaluation and any recommendations for legislation to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and planning and development.

(P.A. 22-118, S. 210.)

History: P.A. 22-118 effective July 1, 2022.

Secs. 29-1gg to 29-1xx. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 29-1yy. Report on recommendations of personnel resource management study. Section 29-1yy is repealed.

(P.A. 89-108, S. 1, 2; P.A. 95-9.)