File No. 27

Senate, March 20, 2006

The Committee on Public Safety and Security reported through SEN. STILLMAN of the 20th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF EMERGENCY PERSONNEL BICYCLES WITH AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 14-286e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2006):

(a) [A] Any police officer, firefighter or emergency service personnel operating a bicycle in response to an emergency call or while engaged in rescue operations or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law shall be exempt from the provisions of sections 14-286, 14-286a, 14-286b, 14-286c and 14-289 provided (1) the police officer, firefighter or emergency service personnel is wearing a distinctive uniform, and (2) the police officer has completed a course of instruction in basic police bicycle patrol certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council or an equivalent course of instruction, and the firefighter or emergency service personnel has completed an equivalent course of basic bicycle patrol.

(b) The exemptions granted in subsection (a) of this section shall apply only when such bicycle is making use of an audible warning signal device, including, but not limited to a siren, whistle or bell.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not relieve the operator of a bicycle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property.

The following fiscal impact statement and bill analysis are prepared for the benefit of members of the General Assembly, solely for the purpose of information, summarization, and explanation, and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either House thereof for any purpose:

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Note: All Funds=All Funds

Municipal Impact:

Explanation

The bill requires firefighters and emergency medical personnel responding to emergency calls, engaging in rescue operations, or pursuing criminals, to wear a distinct uniform, use an audible signal, and receive training in a basic bicycle patrol course (certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, or an equivalent course).

It is estimated that 100 firefighters and emergency medical personnel would require training annually. To the extent that municipalities and state agencies employing such personnel participate in training, the cost ranges from $195-$325 per individual.

The Out Years

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.



OLR Bill Analysis

sSB 72

AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF EMERGENCY PERSONNEL BICYCLES WITH AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICES.

SUMMARY:

The bill exempts firefighters and emergency services personnel from state laws and local regulations governing bicycle operations on highways, under certain conditions and subject to the same standards that apply to police officers, who are currently exempt. They must be (1) responding to emergency calls, (2) engaging in rescue operations, or (3) pursuing actual or suspected criminals. They must have completed a basic bicycle patrol course equivalent to the one police officers must now complete (i.e., a course certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council or an equivalent course) and must wear a distinctive uniform and use an audible signal such as a siren, whistle, or bell. They have a duty to drive with due regard for the safety of people and property.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2006

COMMITTEE ACTION

Public Safety and Security Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute