SF 2745

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/04/2022 09:35am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; appropriating money to provide reimbursements to state
and local law enforcement agencies that have paid incentive bonuses to encourage
individuals to become peace officers; requiring a report; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 299A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [299A.625] REIMBURSEMENT GRANTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES FOR NEW PEACE OFFICER HIRING BONUSES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grants authorized. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety may make
reimbursement grants as provided in this section to local law enforcement agencies that
have paid recruitment bonuses to newly hired peace officers. Agencies may apply for grants
on forms prescribed and as directed by the commissioner. The maximum amount of a grant
is $10,000 per officer hired. An agency may apply for multiple grants to cover multiple
eligible bonuses. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the commissioner and are limited
to the amount appropriated for this purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant eligibility. new text end

new text begin Law enforcement agencies may offer recruitment bonuses
to provide incentives to individuals to become peace officers with the agency. A
reimbursement grant under this section may be made only if the peace officer was hired
after having received notice of the availability of a recruitment bonus and only after the
agency has paid the bonus. An officer is eligible for a bonus upon reaching the officer's one
year anniversary of starting employment at the agency and only if the officer is a member
in good standing with the agency. A grant may be awarded only for a bonus paid to a newly
licensed peace officer hire. Grants may not reimburse bonuses paid to officers moving
laterally from other jurisdictions within the state. If the demand for grants exceeds the
amount appropriated, the commissioner shall award grants in a manner that ensures that
grants are distributed to agencies in a geographically balanced manner and also in a balanced
manner in terms of the size of the law enforcement agencies receiving grants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin By January 15 of each year, the commissioner shall report
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction
over criminal justice policy and funding on the grant program. At a minimum, the report
must provide detailed information on the grants awarded under this section, including the
amount of each grant and the recipient agency, and the number of new hires made in whole
or in part because of the grants.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $15,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2023,to the commissioner of public safety for the grant program described in section 1. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.
new text end