SF2544

SF2544 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Retired peace officers eligibility to participate in the state insurance program authorization; college degree holders program to complete peace officer education and training establishment; appropriating money

Related bill: HF2301

AI Generated Summary

This bill relates to public safety, health, and human services in Minnesota. It includes the following key provisions:

Retired Peace Officers, Firefighters, and Teachers Insurance Eligibility:
- Allows retired peace officers, firefighters, and teachers to participate in the state insurance program until the age of 65, at their own expense.
- Ensures that coverage cannot be denied due to preexisting conditions.
- Requires potential participants to notify the commissioner within 30 days of retirement if they wish to enroll.
- Once coverage is discontinued, reenrollment is not permitted.
Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training Program:
- Establishes a program within the Department of Public Safety to address the shortage of peace officers.
- Provides funding to law enforcement agencies that recruit, educate, and train college degree holders to become licensed peace officers.
- Offers reimbursement grants:
  - Up to $50,000 per peace officer candidate for education, training, salary, and insurance.
  - Up to $10,000 for a retention bonus after two years of service.
  - Up to $20,000 for student loan reimbursement after consecutive years of service.
- Develops an intensive training curriculum designed to be completed in eight months or less.
- Designates educational institutions, including at least two Minnesota State Colleges, to provide the training.
- Establishes a dedicated account in the special revenue fund for program funding.
Appropriations:
- Allocates funding for the program's creation, administration, and outreach efforts.
- Provides resources to recruit candidates, particularly from underrepresented groups, to enhance the diversity of law enforcement personnel.

This bill aims to improve public safety workforce retention and recruitment while expanding health insurance options for retired officers, firefighters, and teachers.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
March 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
March 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
March 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Definitions related to retired peace officers, firefighters, and teachers have been added."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the definitions within the state insurance program statute under section 43A.316, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "43A.316",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the participation conditions for public employees within the state insurance program under section 43A.316, subdivision 5.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies conditions under which exclusive representatives and eligible employers participate in the program."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "43A.316",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced for the definition of a public employee applicable to section 43A.316.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "179A.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 14"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced for the definition of an eligible employer applicable to section 43A.316.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "179A.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 15"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced for the definition of a retired teacher under section 43A.316.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "179A.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 18"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced for compliance requirements for a governmental plan under federal law.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "29 U.S.C. 1002",
    "subdivision": "section 1002"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced for the definition of a retired peace officer applicable to section 43A.316.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "626.84",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]