Bills looking to bolster a dwindling public safety workforce are still in play following legislative crossover day.
A handful of bills over the last couple years have focused on the needs of public safety agencies, in particular law enforcement and corrections officers. The 2024 legislative session has been no exception. With Sine Die slightly more than two weeks away, some of these efforts are still in the running to pass, and be enacted into law.
Two bills in particular focused on recruitment and retention for vital public safety roles.
- SB 380 is attempting to established a work group to study challenges and make recommendations for police recruitment and retention across the state.
- HB 536 was looking to establish a start-up grant program for correctional services apprenticeships.
SB 380 passed out of its originating chamber and will continue on to the House Appropriations Committee for further review. HB 536 did not make it across the road, but much of the provisions in this bill have been adopted by Governor Moore’s effort to revitalize the public safety workforce with HB 597.
The administration bill, HB 597, took a holistic approach to public safety as a whole in trying to tackle the workforce problem by doing a few things:
- Broadening the police cadet apprenticeship program to corrections workers, fire fighters, and medical responders
- Requires the MPTSC to develop mental health and wellness policies including the authorization of confidential peer support programs.
- Establishes a workgroup to grow engagement in law enforcement and corrections roles.
With the severity of shortages public safety agencies are experiencing, these bills present a number of prudent strategies to help combat this growing problem. Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more updates on these bills and others.
