This bill amends the existing recruitment and retention program within the New Hampshire community college system to include public safety telecommunicators and dispatchers, thereby expanding the eligibility criteria to encompass these professionals. Key changes include the insertion of "public safety telecommunicators and dispatchers" into the program's title and eligibility, allowing them to receive reimbursement for educational courses. Additionally, the bill establishes a new police standards and training recruitment and retention fund, which will be administered by the police standards and training council, and allocates $100,000 from the existing career development fund to support the new program and reimburse costs associated with the New Hampshire police academy.

Furthermore, the bill creates a recruitment incentive program specifically for public safety communicators and dispatchers, appropriating $125,000 from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to cover costs related to uniforms, equipment, and specialized training. The fiscal impact anticipates no revenue in FY 2025, with potential revenue increases of up to $100,000 in subsequent years due to the program's expansion. Expenditures are projected to be $125,000 in FY 2026, with indeterminable costs in FY 2027 and beyond, as no additional funding sources are identified. The Community College System is expected to benefit from increased revenue through the introduction of new courses related to this program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 188-F:70, 188-F:72, 6:12
As Amended by the Senate: 188-F:70, 188-F:72, 6:12