General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7199 aims to improve firefighter recruitment and retention in Connecticut by establishing a mortgage assistance program for both paid and volunteer firefighters, effective July 1, 2025. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority will manage this program, offering financial support for home purchases in the communities where firefighters serve, which may include down payment assistance and housing subsidies. Additionally, the bill modifies existing tuition waiver provisions for regional community-technical colleges and the Connecticut State University System, expanding eligibility to uniformed firefighters who have served for at least two years and their dependents, while repealing previous eligibility criteria related to specific incidents.

The bill also introduces a Volunteer Firefighter Length-of-Service Award Program, overseen by the State Retirement Commission, which will recognize volunteer firefighters for their service through a trust fund. This program will allow participants to earn service credits that cannot be forfeited, with annual awards starting July 1, 2026. Furthermore, a task force will be created to study the shortage of firefighters and emergency medical personnel, proposing solutions such as income tax credits and training incentives. The bill mandates municipalities hiring firefighters after July 1, 2025, to reimburse the initial employing municipality for 50% of entry-level training costs if the hiring occurs within two years of training completion. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance support for firefighters and their families while addressing recruitment challenges in the state.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 3-13c
PS Joint Favorable: 3-13c
File No. 416: 3-13c
APP Joint Favorable: 3-13c