Senate Bill 2888

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR CERTIFIED EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 19-5-355, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-5-355. (1) When it shall be determined that training is required, a request for training shall be submitted to the Board of Emergency Telecommunications Standards and Training for approval of course, course location, estimated cost and base weekly salary of the telecommunicator to attend the course of instruction. Upon approval of training and successful completion of the training course, all expenses associated with the obtaining of such training shall be reimbursed. The local government entity or emergency service provider shall be reimbursed for the full salary and benefits of each telecommunicator completing such training.

(2) Upon completion of any course required in these minimum training standards, each telecommunicator shall be issued a certificate which shall signify successful completion of such training. When all minimum standards training has been met, copies of certificates of course completion shall be forwarded to the Board of Emergency Telecommunications Standards and Training which will then issue "Certification of Minimum Standards" to such telecommunicator. Certifications shall be issued separately for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service telecommunicators.

(3) After the initial minimum standard of training is completed and the telecommunicator has been issued the "Certification of Minimum Standards," the telecommunicator shall complete forty-eight (48) hours of continuing education courses every three (3) years. The continuing education courses must be approved by the Board of Emergency Telecommunications Standards and Training.

(4) The Board of Emergency Telecommunications Standards and Training shall reimburse each agency for the expense incurred in attendance at approved training programs as required by this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.