The Substitute House Bill No. 5046 aims to improve the recruitment and retention of first responders in Connecticut by expanding eligibility for tuition waivers at the Connecticut State Community College and the Connecticut State University System. The bill introduces new categories of individuals eligible for these waivers, including police officers, firefighters, emergency medical responders, and their dependent children, provided they have served for at least five years. It also mandates the Board of Regents for Higher Education to waive mandatory enrollment fees for these individuals. Key changes include the repeal of existing provisions in sections 10a-77 and 10a-99, with new insertions that broaden the scope of tuition waivers and clarify that "domiciled in this state" includes individuals who have been residents for less than one year.

Additionally, the bill establishes a mortgage assistance program administered by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to help first responders purchase homes in their communities, along with a $1,000 tax credit for volunteer firefighters with at least 15 years of service, effective from January 1, 2027. A task force will also be created to study recruitment and retention issues for public safety personnel, examining the feasibility of various support programs. The bill's provisions are expected to have significant fiscal implications, including potential revenue losses for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities due to the expanded tuition waivers, with estimates indicating a General Fund loss of up to $6.5 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028.