HB549: HB549 Peace officers; extend time frame for which reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer may be sought

26 LC 39 4641/AP House Bill 549 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Seabaugh of the 34th, McDonald III of the 26th, McCollum of the 30th, Lumsden of the 12th, Hitchens of the 161st, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 35-8-22 of the Official Code of Georgia A nnotated, relating to1 reimbursement of training expenses by subsequent employer of pe ace officer, collection2 procedure, and required documentation, so as to extend the time f r a m e f o r w h i c h3 reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer of a peace officer may4 be sought; to provide for types of training eligible for reimbursement; to provide for related5 matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 Code Section 35-8-22 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reimbursement9 of training expenses by subsequent employer of peace officer, c ollection procedure, and10 required documentation, is amended by revising subsection (a) as follows:11 "(a)(1) Unless otherwise provided by an employment contract to the contrary and subject12 to paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the State of Georgia or any county or municipality13 thereof employs a peace officer and said peace officer is hired by another agency within14 15 36 months after completing mandated or formalized training requirements, then the15 total expense of training, including salary paid during training, shall be reimbursed by the16 H. B. 549 - 1 - 26 LC 39 4641/AP hiring agency to the State of Georgia or any county or municipality thereof which initially17 paid for such training. If said officer is hired by another agency during a period of 15 to18 24 months after mandated or formalized training requirements ar e completed, then19 one-half of the total expense of training, including salary pai d during training, shall be20 reimbursed by the hiring agency to the State of Georgia or any county or municipality21 thereof which initially paid for such training. The council sh all set standards for22 reimbursement by hiring agencies based upon actual expenses incurred in mandated or23 formalized training by individual departments.24 (2) The total expense of training to be reimbursed pursuant to this subsection shall be25 limited to:26 (A) The actual cost of any equipment and materials required by the council approved27 school that the peace officer attended;28 (B) The salary paid during the time the peace officer attended the basic training course29 as provided for in Code Section 35-8-9, as well as any housing, meal, and transportation30 costs incurred during such attendance; and31 (C) Up to 90 days of salary paid during the time the peace officer participated in a field32 training program."33 SECTION 2.34 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.35 H. B. 549 - 2 -