67-19-12.2 - Education benefit plan for law enforcement and correctional officers.
67-19-12.2. Education benefit plan for law enforcement and correctional officers.
(1) As used in this section, "law enforcement officer" has the same meaning as in Section53-13-103 and "correctional officer" has the same meaning as in Section 53-13-104.
(2) The executive director shall establish a plan authorizing any agency to implement aneducational compensation program for law enforcement officers and correctional officersemployed by that agency.
(3) The program shall provide that in order for a law enforcement officer or correctionalofficer to qualify for education benefits for college or university education, the law enforcementofficer or correctional officer shall:
(a) provide a certified transcript of grades, demonstrating a grade point average of 3.0 orgreater, from an accredited college or university; and
(b) have successfully completed the probationary employment period with the employingagency.
(4) The program shall also provide that the agency may consider a law enforcementofficer or correctional officer to receive additional compensation as follows for higher educationdegrees earned on or after April 30, 2001, in a subject area directly related to the lawenforcement officer's or correctional officer's employment with the agency:
(a) 5.5% for an associate's degree;
(b) 5.5% for a bachelor's degree; and
(c) 5.5% for a master's degree.
(5) Expenses incurred by an agency to provide additional compensation under thissection may be only from the agency's existing budget.
Amended by Chapter 249, 2010 General Session