Rep. Hall Advocates for Local Volunteer Fire Companies
HARTFORD – State Representative Carol Hall (R-59) joined State Senator John Kissel (R-7) and North Thompsonville Fire Department Chief Earl Provencher to advocate for HB 5319, “An Act Exempting Volunteer Fire Companies and Departments and Volunteer Ambulance Services and Companies for the Fee for a Criminal History Records Check” during a Public Safety Committee hearing on Thursday, March 5th.
“I used to get background checks done through the department of public safety, and then about three years ago, some new and fairly large fees for this were enacted. I thought however, I was in the clear as there was a caveat in language for the fees that said municipal governments were exempt from the fees,” testified Chief Provencher.
Rep. Hall, a member of the Public Safety Committee noted, “This bill is important for our local fire departments and volunteer fire companies across the state as the costs of these fees add up. Currently, federal, state and municipal agencies are exempted, this legislation would bring clarity and exempt our local fire departments as well.”
In his written testimony Sen. Kissel commented, “The goal of this legislation is to clear up any confusion. This proposal would exempt volunteer fire companies and departments and volunteer ambulance services and companies from the fee for a criminal history records check.”
Chief Provencher explained in his testimony, “…firefighters are considered as one of the most trusted professionals across the county and it is ever so important that we maintain the trust the public has for us.”
Last year a similar bill, HB 7333, was passed by the House of Representatives; however it was not taken up by the Senate before the end of the legislative session.
For more information or to track this legislation visit www.cga.ct.gov. The General Assembly is currently convened in the “short session,” which runs from February 5th until May 6th.