SF 3316

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/25/2022 10:19am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; public safety; establishing a program for highly
qualified college degree holders to complete their peace officer education and
training; establishing a peace officer college scholarship program for highly
qualified high school graduates; appropriating money; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 626.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [626.8516] EXPEDITED PEACE OFFICER EDUCATION AND
TRAINING PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; title. new text end

new text begin A program is established within the Department
of Public Safety to fund the expedited law enforcement education and training of highly
qualified college degree holders. The program shall be known as the "expedited peace officer
education and training program."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose; participant qualities. new text end

new text begin The program is intended to address the critical
shortage of peace officers in the state. The program shall recruit, educate, and train highly
qualified college graduates to become licensed peace officers in the state through an expedited
process. A highly qualified participant shall have a strong moral character and a proven
commitment to community and public service. In addition, participants should possess
strong critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Participants must also possess the physical capabilities to perform the duties of a peace
officer. The program shall strive to include persons from groups that are currently
underrepresented in policing. Program participants shall represent all regions of the state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible to participate in the program, a candidate must:
new text end

new text begin (1) hold a two- or four-year degree from an accredited college or university;
new text end

new text begin (2) be a citizen of the United States;
new text end

new text begin (3) submit to a thorough background check, including searches by local, state, and federal
agencies, to disclose the existence of any criminal record or conduct which would adversely
affect the performance by the candidate of peace officer duties; and
new text end

new text begin (4) possess a valid Minnesota driver's license or, in case of residency therein, a valid
driver's license from another state, or eligibility to obtain either license.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall establish and publish an application for
participation in the program no later than November 1, 2022.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Selection committee; purpose; membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall
convene a selection committee to review applications and make recommendations for
participation in the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The selection committee shall consist of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a peace officer employed by a state law enforcement agency who is appointed by
the commissioner;
new text end

new text begin (2) the executive director of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, or a
designee;
new text end

new text begin (3) two citizen members of the Ensuring Police Excellence and Improving Community
Relations Advisory Council;
new text end

new text begin (4) two representatives of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, including one sheriff of
a county outside of the ten-county metropolitan area;
new text end

new text begin (5) two representatives of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, including one
chief of an agency located outside of the ten-county metropolitan area;
new text end

new text begin (6) a representative of the Minnesota State Patrol Association; and
new text end

new text begin (7) a representative of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Association.
new text end

new text begin (c) The executive director of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board shall serve
as the chair of the selection committee.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Selection process; commencement of coursework and training. new text end

new text begin (a) The
selection committee shall strive to provide opportunities to participate in the program to
applicants from groups that are currently underrepresented in law enforcement and who
represent the state's increasingly diverse population.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the initial cohort of program participants, the selection committee shall make
recommendations to the commissioner no later than January 15, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall select up to 125 persons to participate in the program each
fiscal year.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall select and notify candidates of their selection to participate
in the initial cohort no later than February 15, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner, in consultation with the presidents of the system campuses
designated as education providers under subdivision 11, shall establish a date to commence
coursework and training for the initial cohort of program participants. Coursework must
commence as soon as practicable, but no later than September 1, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (f) The commissioner shall establish future deadlines for the nomination of candidates,
the selection of participants, and commencement of coursework and training for subsequent
cohorts. The commissioner shall establish these deadlines, in consultation with the presidents
of the system campuses designated as education providers under subdivision 11, to ensure
that institutions providing expedited training under the program have the staff, facilities,
and resources necessary to provide expedited coursework and training to participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Nominations. new text end

new text begin Chief law enforcement officers may nominate and recommend
qualified candidates to participate in the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Participant benefits. new text end

new text begin Program participants are entitled to the following benefits:
new text end

new text begin (1) tuition-free law enforcement education and skills training needed to be eligible for
licensure as a peace officer;
new text end

new text begin (2) a stipend to provide for living expenses while participating in the program;
new text end

new text begin (3) forgiveness of student loans incurred for past higher education degrees, to the extent
the legislature appropriates funds for this purpose;
new text end

new text begin (4) a signing bonus when hired by a state law enforcement agency as a peace officer;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) a bonus for being retained after completion of the 18-month probationary period
provided for in subdivision 14.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Participant obligations. new text end

new text begin (a) To enter the program, participants must sign a
contract agreeing to fulfill the program's requirements and to fulfill the employment
obligation under subdivision 10. The contract shall provide that a participant who fails to
meet the requirements of the program without being excused by the commissioner must
reimburse the state for the amount of state funds expended on the participant. The contract
shall also include acknowledgment from the participant that the participant was advised of
the minimum selection standards to become a licensed peace officer in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) To remain in the program, participants must:
new text end

new text begin (1) continue to meet the eligibility requirements to participate in the program established
in subdivision 3;
new text end

new text begin (2) achieve passing grades in the required courses;
new text end

new text begin (3) complete the required law enforcement skills training;
new text end

new text begin (4) make timely progress towards completion of the program;
new text end

new text begin (5) pass the Minnesota peace officer licensure exam; and
new text end

new text begin (6) actively seek employment as a peace officer with a Minnesota law enforcement
agency until employed as a peace officer.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Employment obligation. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning within six months of completion of
the program, a participant must be employed full time in Minnesota as a peace officer.
new text end

new text begin (b) A participant must remain continuously employed full time as a peace officer in
Minnesota for six years after completion of the program.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall annually verify with the board that program graduates who
have not fulfilled the total employment obligation are employed as a peace officer by a state
law enforcement agency.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner may approve, on a case-by-case basis, employment in other public
safety professions for program graduates to satisfy their employment obligation. When the
commissioner approves a program graduate's request under this paragraph, the graduate
must annually verify, in a form and manner specified by the commissioner, that the recipient
is employed in a position that fulfills the employment obligation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Education providers; sites. new text end

new text begin No later than September 1, 2022, the Board of
Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall designate four regionally
diverse system campuses to provide the required expedited law enforcement education and
skills training to participants in the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Curriculum. new text end

new text begin No later than February 1, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, in consultation with the executive director of
the board, shall develop a curriculum that will provide program participants with the law
enforcement education and skills training needed to be licensed as a peace officer. The
curriculum must be designed to be completed in eight months or less.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Job placement assistance; commissioner. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall assist
program participants in identifying and applying for peace officer positions in the state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Hiring law enforcement agencies; extended probationary period granted;
reassignment. new text end

new text begin The chief law enforcement officer of an agency that hires a program graduate
shall have 18 months to evaluate the officer's fitness for nonprobationary employment. If
an agency elects not to offer a program graduate an unrestricted position after the 18-month
probationary period, the agency shall provide the officer with up to three months of assistance
in finding another public safety position within Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Account established. new text end

new text begin An expedited peace officer education and training
program account is created in the special revenue fund for depositing money appropriated
to or received by the department for this program. Money deposited in the account is
appropriated to the commissioner, does not cancel, and is continuously available to fund
the requirements of this section. The commissioner shall annually transfer a sum to the
Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities that is sufficient to
provide the required education and skills training to program participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Board" means the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph
(c).
new text end

new text begin (e) "Program" means the expedited peace officer education and training program.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [626.8518] PEACE OFFICER COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A program is established within the Department of Public
Safety to provide college scholarships to highly qualified Minnesota high school graduates
to earn a four-year law enforcement degree from a state college or university. The program
shall be known as the "peace officer college scholarship program."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The peace officer college scholarship program is intended to recruit,
educate, train, and mentor highly qualified high school graduates to become licensed peace
officers in the state. A highly qualified candidate shall demonstrate a strong moral character
and a commitment to community and public service. In addition, candidates should possess
advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. The
program shall strive to include persons from groups that are currently underrepresented in
policing. Program participants shall represent all regions of the state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Program eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible to participate in the program, a candidate
must:
new text end

new text begin (1) qualify for resident tuition, as defined in section 135A.043;
new text end

new text begin (2) be a citizen of the United States;
new text end

new text begin (3) submit to a thorough background check, including searches by local, state, and federal
agencies, to disclose the existence of any criminal record or conduct which would adversely
affect the performance by the applicant of peace officer duties; and
new text end

new text begin (4) be admitted to a state university.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application; program administration. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall establish
and publish an application for participation in the scholarship program no later than
November 1, 2022. For each academic year, the commissioner shall establish the deadline
for applicants to apply for a scholarship. The commissioner must publish the application
deadline at least 12 weeks prior to the deadline.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall establish the guidelines and programming necessary for
implementing and administering the program, including providing summer law enforcement
and leadership skills training to participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Nominations. new text end

new text begin Chief law enforcement officers may nominate up to two
candidates to receive scholarships under this program each academic year that funding is
available for scholarships.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Selection committee; membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall convene a
selection committee to review applications and recommend candidates for participation in
the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The selection committee shall consist of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a peace officer employed by a state law enforcement agency, appointed by the
commissioner;
new text end

new text begin (2) the executive director of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board or a
designee;
new text end

new text begin (3) two citizen members of the Ensuring Police Excellence and Improving Community
Relations Advisory Council;
new text end

new text begin (4) two representatives of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, including one sheriff of
a county outside of the ten-county metropolitan area;
new text end

new text begin (5) two representatives of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, including one
chief of an agency located outside of the ten-county metropolitan area;
new text end

new text begin (6) a representative of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Association;
new text end

new text begin (7) a representative of the Minnesota State Troopers Association; and
new text end

new text begin (8) two designees of the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities with experience in criminal justice.
new text end

new text begin (c) The executive director of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board shall serve
as the chair of the selection committee.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Selection process. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall award up to 125 scholarships
each academic year beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year to students that the selection
committee recommends to the commissioner. The commissioner shall strive to provide
opportunities to participate in the program to applicants from groups that are currently
underrepresented in law enforcement and who represent the state's increasingly diverse
population. The commissioner must ensure that scholarships are awarded to students from
all regions of the state.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall establish deadlines for the nomination of candidates and the
selection of participants. For the initial cohort of program participants, the selection
committee shall make recommendations to the commissioner no later than January 15, 2023.
The commissioner shall select and notify candidates of their selection to participate in the
initial cohort no later than February 15, 2023. The selection committee shall give preference
to applicants from groups that are currently underrepresented in law enforcement and who
represent the state's increasingly diverse population.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Participant benefits. new text end

new text begin Program participants are entitled to the following benefits:
new text end

new text begin (1) free tuition and fees at a Minnesota state university for up to eight semesters;
new text end

new text begin (2) free law enforcement skills training;
new text end

new text begin (3) supplemental law enforcement and leadership skills training; and
new text end

new text begin (4) a stipend to provide for living expenses while participating in the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Participant obligations. new text end

new text begin (a) To enter the program, participants must sign a
contract agreeing to fulfill the program's requirements, to fulfill the employment obligation
under subdivision 10, and to reimburse the state for failing to complete the program without
being excused from the program by the commissioner. The contract shall also include
acknowledgment from the participant that the participant was advised of the minimum
selection standards to become a licensed peace officer in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) To remain in the program, participants must:
new text end

new text begin (1) continue to meet the eligibility requirements to participate in the program established
in subdivision 3;
new text end

new text begin (2) remain in good academic standing and make timely progress toward completion of
a law enforcement degree as provided for under paragraph (c);
new text end

new text begin (3) complete the required law enforcement skills training;
new text end

new text begin (4) participate in leadership and peace officer specific training provided by the
commissioner each summer;
new text end

new text begin (5) pass the Minnesota peace officer licensure exam; and
new text end

new text begin (6) actively seek employment as a peace officer in a Minnesota law enforcement agency
until employed as a peace officer.
new text end

new text begin (c) A program participant must be enrolled in a law enforcement degree program for at
least 12 credits per semester at a state university in the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system. A participant must complete their degree in four academic years from
the date they enter the program, unless the commissioner approves the participant's request
for an extension or grants an exception to the policy.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Employment obligation. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning within six months of completion of
the program, a participant must be employed full time in Minnesota as a peace officer.
new text end

new text begin (b) A participant must remain continuously employed full time as a peace officer in
Minnesota for six years after completion of the program.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall annually verify with the board that program graduates who
have not fulfilled the total employment obligation are employed as a peace officer by a state
law enforcement agency.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner may approve, on a case-by-case basis, employment in other public
safety professions for program graduates to satisfy their employment obligation. When the
commissioner approves a program graduate's request under this paragraph, the person must
annually verify, in a form and manner specified by the commissioner, that the graduate is
employed in a position that fulfills the employment obligation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Failure to complete degree or satisfy the employment obligation. new text end

new text begin If a
program participant fails to earn their degree in the time provided, otherwise fails to meet
the requirements of the program without being excused from the program by the
commissioner, or fails to satisfy the employment obligation, the commissioner must convert
the amount of state funds expended on the participant's education and stipend into a student
loan and collect from the participant the total amount paid plus interest at a rate established
according to section 270C.40.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Job placement assistance; commissioner. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall assist
program participants in identifying and applying for peace officer positions in the state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Account established. new text end

new text begin A peace officer college scholarship program account
is created in the special revenue fund for depositing money appropriated to or received by
the department for this program. Money deposited in the account is appropriated to the
commissioner, does not cancel, and is continuously available to fund the requirements of
this section. The commissioner shall annually transfer a sum to the Board of Trustees of
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities that is sufficient to provide the required
education and skills training to program participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Board" means the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph
(c).
new text end

new text begin (e) "Program" means the peace officer college scholarship program.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; EXPEDITED PEACE OFFICER EDUCATION AND
TRAINING PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Commissioner of public safety; program creation and administration;
MnSCU transfer. new text end

new text begin $13,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the expedited peace
officer education and training program account in the special revenue fund to the
commissioner of public safety to establish and administer the expedited peace officer
education and training program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Public safety; outreach. new text end

new text begin $800,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the
expedited peace officer education and training program account in the special revenue fund
to the commissioner of public safety to conduct outreach to qualified candidates for the
expedited peace officer education and training program. The commissioner shall use the
funds to target and recruit candidates or groups of candidates who meet the program's
eligibility requirements with an emphasis placed on reaching candidates from groups that
are currently underrepresented in law enforcement and who represent the state's increasingly
diverse population. The commissioner shall contract with an agency with proven experience
and success in targeting and recruiting candidates for specific professions.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION; PUBLIC SAFETY; TRANSFER TO MNSCU; PEACE
OFFICER COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $2,600,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the peace officer college scholarship
program account in the special revenue fund to the commissioner of public safety to establish
and administer the peace officer college scholarship program. The commissioner shall use
a portion of this appropriation to promote the program to students from groups that are
currently underrepresented in law enforcement and who represent the state's increasingly
diverse population.
new text end