This bill mandates the Civil Service Commission to establish 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 that help these applicants compete effectively against those 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 roles of mentors and mentees, specifying that mentors can be current or former firefighters in good standing or other individuals deemed appropriate by the Civil Service Commission. It establishes criteria for eligibility in the program and stipulates that no financial compensation will be provided to mentors, nor will fees be charged to mentees. Additionally, it allows for the removal of participants for good cause and limits mentee participation to a maximum of three times within a 10-year period. The Civil Service Commission is also tasked with reviewing the program annually to ensure its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.