This bill mandates the Civil Service Commission to establish and maintain a mentoring program specifically for civil service firefighter applicants who reside in municipalities with a median income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. The program aims to assist these applicants throughout the civil service application, examination, and selection process, addressing unique obstacles they may face. It will include various mentoring projects such as workshops and group discussions, as well as a study group to provide resources necessary for competing with applicants from more affluent communities. Mentoring will be available for the duration of the exam cycle until the mentee completes the hiring process.

The bill outlines the definitions of "mentee" and "mentor," with mentors being current or former firefighters in good standing or other appropriate individuals as determined by the Commission. It establishes criteria for eligibility in the program and specifies that no financial compensation will be provided to mentors, nor will fees be charged to mentees. The Commission will have the authority to remove participants for good cause and will conduct annual reviews of the program to ensure its effectiveness. Additionally, a mentee can participate in the program a maximum of three times within a 10-year period, and former mentees may become mentors after completing the program.