HB 857

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to law enforcement and correctional
3	officers; amending s. 943.13, F.S.; requiring certain
4	applicants for employment to complete a recertification
5	course; amending s. 943.131, F.S.; conforming provisions;
6	reenacting s. 943.1395(3), F.S., relating to certification
7	of such officers, to incorporate the amendments made to s.
8	943.13, F.S., in references thereto; providing an
9	effective date.
10
11	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
12
13	Section 1.  Subsection (9) of section 943.13, Florida
14	Statutes, is amended to read:
15	943.13  Officers' minimum qualifications for employment or
16	appointment.--On or after October 1, 1984, any person employed
17	or appointed as a full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law
18	enforcement officer or correctional officer; on or after October
19	1, 1986, any person employed as a full-time, part-time, or
20	auxiliary correctional probation officer; and on or after
21	October 1, 1986, any person employed as a full-time, part-time,
22	or auxiliary correctional officer by a private entity under
23	contract to the Department of Corrections, to a county
24	commission, or to the Department of Management Services shall:
25	(9)  Complete a commission-approved basic recruit training
26	program for the applicable criminal justice discipline, unless
27	exempt under this subsection.
28	(a)  An applicant who has:
29	1.(a)  Completed a comparable basic recruit training
30	program for the applicable criminal justice discipline in
31	another state or for the Federal Government; and
32	2.(b)  Served as a full-time sworn officer in another state
33	or for the Federal Government for at least 1 year provided there
34	is no more than an 8-year break in employment, as measured from
35	the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to
36	the time a complete application is submitted for an exemption
37	under this section,
38
39	is exempt in accordance with s. 943.131(2) from completing the
40	commission-approved basic recruit training program.
41	(b)  However, an applicant who has a break in employment of
42	more than 8 years and who otherwise meets the requirements of
43	this section must complete a 120-hour recertification course
44	that emphasizes firearms training and a review of the applicable
45	laws of this state. Such course may be conducted by the hiring
46	agency.
47	Section 2.  Subsection (2) of section 943.131, Florida
48	Statutes, is amended to read:
49	943.131  Temporary employment or appointment; minimum basic
50	recruit training exemption.--
51	(2)(a)  If an applicant seeks an exemption from completing
52	a commission-approved basic recruit training program, the
53	employing agency must verify that the applicant has successfully
54	completed a comparable basic recruit training program for the
55	discipline in which the applicant is seeking certification in
56	another state or for the Federal Government. Further, the
57	employing agency must verify that the applicant has served as a
58	full-time sworn officer in another state or for the Federal
59	Government for at least 1 year provided there is no more than an
60	8-year break in employment, as measured from the separation date
61	of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete
62	application is submitted for an exemption under this section. If
63	there has been more than an 8-year break in employment, the
64	applicant must comply with the requirements of s. 943.13(9)(b).
65	(b)  When the employing agency obtains written
66	documentation regarding the applicant's criminal justice
67	experience, the documentation must be submitted to the
68	commission. The commission shall adopt rules that establish
69	criteria and procedures to determine if the applicant is exempt
70	from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training
71	program and, upon making a determination, shall notify the
72	employing agency. An applicant who is exempt from completing the
73	commission-approved basic recruit training program must
74	demonstrate proficiency in the high-liability areas, as defined
75	by commission rule, and must complete the requirements of s.
76	943.13(10) within 1 year after receiving an exemption. If the
77	proficiencies and requirements of s. 943.13(10) are not met
78	within the 1 year, the applicant must complete a commission-
79	approved basic recruit training program, as required by the
80	commission by rule. Except as provided in subsection (1), before
81	the employing agency may employ or appoint the applicant as an
82	officer, the applicant must meet the minimum qualifications
83	described in s. 943.13(1)-(8), and must fulfill the requirements
84	of s. 943.13(10).
85	Section 3.  For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
86	made by this act to section 943.13, Florida Statutes, in
87	references thereto, subsection (3) of section 943.1395, Florida
88	Statutes, is reenacted to read:
89	943.1395  Certification for employment or appointment;
90	concurrent certification; reemployment or reappointment;
91	inactive status; revocation; suspension; investigation.--
92	(3)  Any certified officer who has separated from
93	employment or appointment and who is not reemployed or
94	reappointed by an employing agency within 4 years after the date
95	of separation must meet the minimum qualifications described in
96	s. 943.13, except for the requirement found in s. 943.13(9).
97	Further, such officer must complete any training required by the
98	commission by rule. Any such officer who is not reemployed or
99	reappointed by an employing agency within 8 years after the date
100	of separation must meet the minimum qualifications described in
101	s. 943.13, to include the requirement of s. 943.13(9).
102	Section 4.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.