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). The Application for the Florida Law Enforcement Reimbursement Program, Form LERP-1, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14923) 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 paragraphs (1)(a)-(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 11-23-22.