HB 5046 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

HB 5046 modifies existing tuition waiver policies at Connecticut's community colleges and universities to specifically support public safety personnel. It waives tuition for current police officers (with 5+ years service) and firefighters (with 5+ years service), as well as for their dependents if the officer or firefighter was killed in the line of duty. The bill also expands waivers to include students enrolled in state fire school programs and police academy coordination courses. These changes apply to Connecticut State Community College and Connecticut State University System programs, effective July 1, 2026. The policy directly affects active and retired public safety workers and their families by reducing education costs.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Apr 1, 2026

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What changed between versions

Governor's Bill → PS Joint Favorable Substitute · 10 edits

MAJOR

The bill was renamed to broaden its focus from just firefighters and police to all first responders. It significantly expanded tuition waiver eligibility to include veterans attending military academies, emergency medical personnel, and families of military personnel killed after 9/11. Additionally, the fee waiver language for National Guard members was clarified to cover mandatory enrollment fees beyond just extension fees.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened from specific first responders (firefighters and police) to include a wider range of first responders, veterans, and their dependents.

SCOPE

The bill title was changed from 'Supporting Firefighter and Police Officer Recruitment and Retention' to 'Supporting First Responder Recruitment and Retention' to reflect a broader scope.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for veterans who have been accepted into a military service academy and are domiciled in the state.

Added eligibility for dependent children of police officers, firefighters, and volunteer fire company members who were killed in the line of duty.

Added eligibility for dependent children of residents killed in a specific multivehicle crash in Avon.

Added eligibility for residents who are dependent children or surviving spouses of persons killed in action while performing active military duty after September 11, 2001.

Added eligibility for police officers employed in the state for at least five years.

Added eligibility for uniformed members of paid or volunteer fire departments (including those operated by federally recognized Indian tribes) who have served in the state for at least five years.

Added eligibility for emergency medical responders, technicians, instructors, and paramedics employed in the state for at least five years.

Clarified that fee waivers for National Guard members include mandatory enrollment fees, not just extension fees.

Expanded the definition of eligible fire departments to explicitly include those operated by federally recognized Indian tribes.

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security

lower

44 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

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