§ 63A-17-802 — Education benefit plan for law enforcement and correctional officers.

(1) As used in this section:

(1)(a) "Law enforcement officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-13-103.
(1)(b) "Correctional officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-13-104.
(2) The director shall establish a plan authorizing any agency to implement an educational compensation program for law enforcement officers and correctional officers employed by that agency.
(3) The program shall provide that in order for a law enforcement officer or correctional officer to qualify for education benefits for college or university education, the law enforcement officer or correctional officer shall:

(3)(a) provide a certified transcript of grades, demonstrating a grade point average of 3.0 or greater, from an accredited college or university; and
(3)(b) have successfully completed the probationary employment period with the employing agency.
(4) The program shall also provide that the agency may consider a law enforcement officer or correctional officer to receive additional compensation as follows for higher education degrees earned on or after April 30, 2001, in a subject area directly related to the law enforcement officer's or correctional officer's employment with the agency:

(4)(a) 5.5% for an associate's degree;
(4)(b) 5.5% for a bachelor's degree; and
(4)(c) 5.5% for a master's degree.
(5) Expenses incurred by an agency to provide additional compensation under this section may be only from the agency's existing budget.

Legislative History

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2021 General Session