Reimbursement for out-of-state and special operations forces law enforcement equivalency training

(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Commission” means the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission within the Department of Law Enforcement. (b) “Department” means the Department of Education. (c) “Employing agency” has the same meaning as provided in s. 943.10(4). (d) “Law enforcement officer” has the same meaning as provided in s. 943.10(1). (e) “Special operations forces” has the same meaning as provided in s. 943.10(22). (2) Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, the department, in consultation with the Department of Law Enforcement, shall reimburse eligible applicants who relocate from outside the state or who transition from service in the special operations forces to become a full-time law enforcement officer within this state for eligible expenses incurred while obtaining a Florida law enforcement officer certification. (3) To be eligible for reimbursement under this section, an applicant’s employing agency must certify that he or she: (a) Meets the requirements of s. 943.131(2) to qualify for an exemption from the basic recruit training program. (b) Was not sponsored by the employing agency to cover the cost of any commission required training. (4) Reimbursement shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date the department received each completed application and is contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature. (5) Eligible applicants may be reimbursed for eligible costs and fees up to $1,000, which include any cost or fee incurred for: (a) Any equivalency assessment administered to determine required equivalency training. (b) Any equivalency training required by the commission. (c) The law enforcement officer certification examination. (6) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section.