Bill Text: MI HB5131 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Law enforcement: funds; grant program to law enforcement agencies to hire public service assistants; create. Creates new act.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-12-07 - Referred To Committee On Judiciary And Public Safety [HB5131 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HB5131-Engrossed.html
Substitute For
HOUSE BILL NO. 5131
A bill to create a grant program to provide grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of hiring public service assistants; to create the public service assistants fund; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 1. This act may be cited as the "public service assistants grant program act".
(a) "Commission" means the Michigan commission on law enforcement standards created under section 3 of the Michigan commission on law enforcement standards act, 1965 PA 203, MCL 28.603, or by express delegation of the Michigan commission on law enforcement standards, its executive director and staff.
(b) "Fund" means the public service assistants fund created in section 7.
(c) "Grant program" means the public service assistants grant program created in section 5.
(d) "Law enforcement agency" means that term as defined in section 2 of the Michigan commission on law enforcement standards act, 1965 PA 203, MCL 28.602.
(e) "Public service assistant" means a full-time or part-time employee who is specially trained by a law enforcement agency and who is unarmed and has no arrest or criminal enforcement powers.
Sec. 5. (1) Not later than 180 days after the effective date of this act, the commission shall create, implement, and administer a grant program to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of hiring public service assistants.
(2) Grants awarded pursuant to subsection (1) must be used to establish a new program or expand an existing program operated by a law enforcement agency for the purpose of hiring public service assistants. A grant awarded under the grant program serves as a supplement to, and not a replacement for, funds otherwise budgeted for an existing program operated by a law enforcement agency.
(3) Grants awarded pursuant to subsection (1) must not be used to fill previously vacant positions for public service assistants within an existing program previously operated by a law enforcement agency.
(4) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a law enforcement agency must comply with the commission's application process.
(5) The commission shall provide the grants on a basis determined by the commission to eligible law enforcement agencies for the purpose described in subsection (1). In providing grants under this act, the commission may consider the number of licensed law enforcement officers employed by a law enforcement agency.
(6) The commission shall award grants under this act if any of the following exists:
(a) Sufficient funds are appropriated by the legislature.
(b) There are sufficient funds in the fund.
Sec. 7. (1) The public service assistants fund is created as a separate fund in the department of treasury. The commission is the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes.
(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the fund money appropriated to the fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund and shall credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.
(3) The commission shall expend money from the fund to carry out the purpose of this act, which includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Implementing the grant program under this act.
(b) Paying the reasonable expenses of providing staff to the commission for administering and enforcing this act.
(c) Awarding grants as provided in this act.
(4) Money remaining in the fund at the close of the fiscal year remains in the fund and does not lapse to the general fund.
Sec. 9. The commission may promulgate rules or procedures to implement this act in accordance with the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328. Procedures promulgated pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, procedures governing the grant application and disbursement process, and the method for establishing eligibility.
