Governor Ned Lamont welcomed the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee decision on Mar. 17 to approve legislation he introduced that aims to create new incentives for police officers and firefighters. The bill is designed to encourage more people to pursue careers in public safety and help retain those already serving.
The proposed legislation matters because it addresses ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel for essential public safety roles. By offering educational and housing benefits, the state hopes to strengthen its police and fire departments.
“Police officers and firefighters are the backbone of the safety of our neighborhoods, and it is imperative that we have strategic recruitment and retention policies that build adequately staffed firefighter and police forces,” Lamont said. “By waiving tuition and fees for higher education and providing mortgage assistance so these public safety officials can afford to live in the towns where they work, we can do more to achieve our goals of having robust police and fire departments. I thank the Public Safety Committee for voting today to approve my proposal, and in particular I want to thank its co-chairs, Senator Gaston and Representative Boyd, for working with my office to advance this legislation.”
The bill approved by the committee includes two main incentives. First, it would waive tuition and fees at public colleges, universities in the Connecticut State University System, Connecticut State Community Colleges, as well as for students attending the Connecticut Fire Academy, for state or local police officers or firefighters with five or more years of service. Second, it would establish a mortgage assistance program through the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority aimed at helping these professionals buy homes in their communities. This could include down payment support or other housing subsidies.
The updated language also extends some provisions to municipal emergency medical services personnel and members of the Connecticut Army/Air National Guard. Additionally, a tax credit would be added for certain volunteer firefighters.
The legislation is House Bill 5046: An Act Supporting Firefighter and Police Officer Recruitment and Retention. The Public Safety and Security Committee approved it unanimously.
