This bill amends the law regarding reimbursement for law enforcement training costs in Arkansas. It changes the time frame for which reimbursement is required from eighteen months to twenty-four months after a law enforcement officer completes their training. The bill specifies that if a law enforcement agency employs an officer within this twenty-four-month period, they must reimburse the agency that paid for the officer's training. The reimbursement structure is also modified, with the total reimbursement amount decreasing based on the time elapsed since training completion, with specific percentages outlined for different time frames.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for reimbursement requests, mandating that they be submitted in writing and include an itemized list of costs. It also clarifies that private communities with populations over 5,000 that employ certified law enforcement officers are entitled to reimbursement. The bill further defines "law enforcement agency" and "private community" in accordance with existing statutes. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB 521: 12-9-209, 14-14-814, 12-9-602(a)
Act 748: 12-9-209, 14-14-814, 12-9-602(a)