This new rule will assist in the recruitment of law enforcement officers from outside the state and special operations forces both within and outside the state by providing reimbursement up to $1,000 for costs and fees incurred ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-20.0285Florida Law Enforcement Reimbursement Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This new rule will assist in the recruitment of law enforcement officers from outside the state and special operations forces both within and outside the state by providing reimbursement up to $1,000 for costs and fees incurred in the pursuit of a Florida Law Enforcement Certification.

SUMMARY: This new rule will address all aspects of the program as related to applicants, employing Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse economic impact or any other factor set forth in Section 120.541(2)(e) and will not require legislative ratification. This is based upon agency experience with other scholarship and grant programs.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1009.8961(6), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1009.8961, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: October 20, 2022, 9 a.m.

PLACE: Caribe Royale, 8101 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Parker Campbell, Director, State Scholarships and Grants, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-20.0285 Florida Law Enforcement Reimbursement Program.

(1) Applicant procedures: Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) who would like to be considered for reimbursement under this program must submit a Law Enforcement Reimbursement Program (LERP) application to their employing Law Enforcement Agency (LEA). This application, Form LERP-1, effective November 2022, is incorporated by reference and can be found at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/pdf/LERP-1.pdf. The application requires the following information for each applicant:

(a) Applicant Full Name;

(b) Applicant Rank;

(c) Applicant Type: Out of state LEO or Special Operations Forces (SOF);

(d) Applicant Originating State or SOF detail;

(e) Reimbursement amount;

1. Equivalency assessment cost $,

2. Equivalency training cost $, and

3. LEO certification examination cost $.

(f) Employing LEA name;

(g) LEA County; and

(h) LEA City.

(2) Employing Law Enforcement Agency requirements.

(a) Verify and validate amounts on each LEO application.

(b) Each participating LEA must complete a Substitute Form W-9 in order to receive funding from the Florida Department of Education (Department).

(c) Collect applicant data and report to the Department in a format specified by the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) the following:

1. The date the LEA received the application from the LEO;

2. All LEO application items listed in paragraph (1)(a)-(1)(h) above; and

3. Certification that each applicant meets the requirements of Section 943.131(2), F.S. to qualify for an exemption from the basic training program and that the applicant was not sponsored by the employing agency to cover the cost of the training required by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

(d) Submit the report specified in paragraph (c) above to OSFA by the first of January, April, July, and October for reimbursement consideration.

1. LEAs are authorized to submit requests for applications received or expenses incurred at any point during the fiscal year, not just the prior three months.

2. No report is required if the LEA has not received any LEO applications.

(e) Submit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Global Profile Sheet per Rule 11B-14.001, F.A.C., for each LEO applicant.

(f) Reimburse approved LEO applicants for authorized amounts within thrity (30) days of receipt of funds from the Department.

(3) OSFA Requirements.  By the last day of each reporting month, OSFA will:

(a) Collect and compile all LEA reports;

(b) Order the LEA applicants according to the application date reported; and

(c) Disburse funds to all LEAs along with a report indicating the LEO name and amount approved for reimbursement.

(4) Reimbursement Amount. The reimbursement to eligible applicants will not exceed $1,000.  Reimbursements are limited to cover eligible costs and fees used for:

(a) Any equivalency assessment administered to determine required equivalency training;

(b) Any equivalency training required by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission within the Department of Law Enforcement; and

(c) The law enforcement officer certification examination.

(5) In the event that all program funds appropriated are expensed, the last eligible LEO reimbursement amount may be prorated to the last dollar available.

(6) Should additional funding be provided in the same fiscal year, LEAs that received a prorated amount will be fully reimbursed first, before any new requests for funds are considered.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1009.8961(6) FS. Law Implemented 1009.8961 FS. History – New

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Parker Campbell, Director, State Scholarships and Grants.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 14, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 9, 2022