AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CONNECTICUT PUBLIC SAFETY DATA NETWORK.

This bill requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) commissioner to establish, in two phases, a Connecticut Public Safety Data Network in an electronic format that will facilitate data exchange among public safety personnel. It defines “data” as a representation of text, images, voice, or information that may be transmitted digitally. It requires the commissioner and public safety personnel to enter into agreements governing use of the network and cost sharing (apparently for Phase II).

The bill requires the E 9-1-1 Commission to advise the commissioner in planning, designing, implementing, and coordinating the network. It requires DPS to report the network's implementation status to the Public Safety Committee by January 15, 2009, annually.

The bill (1) increases to 60, from 50, cents per month per access line, the maximum mount that the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) may assess subscribers to fund the E 9-1-1 program, and (2) expands what the money may be used for to include Phase I of the network implementation. By law, DPUC must determine the amount of the monthly fee assessed against telephone and commercial mobile radio services subscriber, voice over internet protocol, and prepaid wireless service providers to fund the E 9-1-1 program.

The commissioner must ensure that the network implementation complies with state and federal requirements for controlled limited-access data. The network's objectives must be to (1) consolidate existing state agency stand-alone networks, (2) enhance 9-1-1 data exchange functionality, and (3) provide for the convergence of data and voice communication systems.

Phase I of the network creation must provide high-speed fiber optic connectivity to all public safety answering points authorized by the commissioner. Phase II must provide for expanding the network to other public safety-related organizations with emergency response responsibilities. The Office of State-wide Emergency Telecommunications (OSET) must create technical and operational standards for Phase I by June 30, 2009. The bill defines “fiber optic” as technology that allows the transmission of large amounts of data over networks, using light beams over fibers.

The commissioner must enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with public safety personnel governing network use and cost sharing for such use. Existing MOUs governing the use of controlled access systems, including some specified in the bill, must be revised, where necessary, to comply with state or federal laws to provide for their inclusion in the network (see BACKGROUND).

DPS must report to the Public Safety Committee on the network's implementation status, by January 15, 2009, and annually thereafter, The report must (1) list all public safety personnel and all connections completed to them, (2) identify actions and resources needed to complete connections, and (3) list all MOUs.

To the extent possible, the bill requires the new network to be financed with revenue sources used to finance existing networks. It requires the commissioner, in determining the funding needed to develop and administer the various components of the E 9-1-1 system, to specify the expenses associated with implementing Phase I of the network. By law, he must already specify a range of expenses for the various components of the system.

The Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Teleprocessing System (COLLECT) is maintained by the State Police. It contains data on wanted persons, criminal history records, protective orders, driver license and motor vehicle information, among other records. It is supported by the DPS operating budget, grants, and state bond funds.

The sex offender registry, maintained by the State Police, is a state database containing the names of people convicted, or acquitted by reason of insanity, of certain sex offenses.

The automated fingerprint identification system is a state database containing fingerprints of criminals, criminal suspects, and job applicants. The system was developed with state bond funds, grants, and DPS operating budget funds.

E 9-1-1 is the enhanced 9-1-1 service. Funding for the program comes from a telephone line surcharge, which customers pay to their telephone service providers and the providers remit to OSET.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System is a federal database of people prohibited from possessing or acquiring firearms. Firearm dealers check the database before transferring firearms. The state provides information to the database under state law and an MOU.

The Paperless Re-Arrest Warrant Network is maintained by the Judicial Branch. It is an electronic database that contains arrest warrants of people who failed to appear in court

The Offender Based Tracking System is a Judicial Branch System database that interfaces with other criminal justice systems.

A PSAP is a 24-hour facility that receives 9-1-1 calls and dispatches emergency response services or transfers emergency calls to other public safety agencies.

The commission advises OSET on the planning, design, implementation, and coordination of the statewide emergency 9-1-1 telephone system.

Yea

Nay

(02/28/2008)