Development of a career pathway to assist police officers in obtaining higher education degrees. Report

(a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly develop a career pathway to assist police officers in obtaining higher education degrees. Such pathway shall include a schedule of credits that officers may receive at each constituent unit of higher education, as defined in section 10a-1, for the training such officers received in order to be certified, and maintain their certification, as police officers pursuant to section 7-294d. Such boards and council shall promote such pathway in order to encourage police officers to earn higher education degrees. (b) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall jointly submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. Such report shall include the pathway and schedule developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and a description of plans to promote such pathway.