(a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Telecommunications” means any system in which electronic signals are used to transmit information between or among points, including but not limited to, systems transmitting voice, data or video by means of waves in any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum;

(2) “Telecommunicator” means any person engaged in or employed as a telecommunications operator by any public safety agency or private safety agency, as defined in section 28-25, whose primary responsibility is the receipt or processing of 9-1-1 calls for emergency assistance or the dispatching of emergency services provided by public safety agencies and who receives or disseminates information relative to emergency assistance by telephone or radio;

(3) “Division” means the Division of State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications established under section 28-24.

(b) The division, in cooperation with public safety agencies, as defined in section 28-25, may:

(1) Establish minimum standards for the training of telecommunicators, provided a public safety agency may establish telecommunicator training standards that exceed the minimum established by the division;

(2) Develop and conduct examination programs to certify the successful completion of performance standards;

(3) Issue certificates of completion to persons who have successfully completed a telecommunicator training program developed by the division and have demonstrated proficiency in the completion of performance standards;

(4) Issue certificates of recognition to persons who, by reason of specialized training, experience or education, are qualified for certification as telecommunicator instructors;

(5) Coordinate the delivery of telecommunicator training programs, as required, to the public safety agencies; and

(6) Renew the certification of telecommunicators and telecommunicator instructors who have maintained the minimum skills established by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(c) On and after January 1, 1990, no person may be employed as a telecommunicator by any public safety agency or private safety agency for a period exceeding one year unless such person has been certified by the division upon successfully completing a telecommunicator training program and demonstrating proficiency in the performance of telecommunicator training program standards or successfully completing a written or oral examination developed by the division.

(d) The division shall issue a written acknowledgment of achievement, without participation in a telecommunicator training program, to any person who, by reason of experience or specialized training demonstrates competence in the performance of telecommunicator training standards as developed by the division.

(e) The division may revoke, suspend or refuse to renew any certificate if: (1) The certificate was issued by administrative error, (2) the certificate was obtained through misrepresentation of a material fact or fraud, (3) the holder has failed to perform the duties for which certification was granted or to maintain minimum skills, or (4) the holder has been convicted of a felony. The division shall not revoke, suspend or refuse to renew any certificate except upon notice and hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(f) Any telecommunicator employed by a public or private safety agency on a permanent basis on or before January 1, 1990, shall be deemed to have met all certification requirements and shall be automatically certified under the provisions of this section. Such certification shall expire when the person terminates his or her permanent employment with such agency.

(g) The state shall save harmless and indemnify any person certified as a telecommunicator instructor by the division under the provisions of this section from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or alleged deprivation of any person's civil rights or other act resulting in personal injury or property damage, which acts are not wanton, reckless or malicious, provided such person at the time of the acts resulting in such injury or damage was acting in the discharge of his or her duties in providing telecommunicator training and instruction.

(h) The division shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 89-259, S. 1, 5; P.A. 90-152, S. 1, 2; P.A. 92-28, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-206, S. 14, 16; P.A. 16-150, S. 12.)

History: P.A. 90-152 added Subsec. (f) re indemnification of certified telecommunicator instructors; P.A. 92-28 added Subsec. (b)(6), authorizing bureau to renew certification of telecommunicators and telecommunicator instructors, added new language as Subsec. (e), specifying grounds on which the bureau may revoke, suspend or refuse to renew any certificate, relettering remaining Subsecs. accordingly, and added Subsec. (h) requiring bureau to adopt regulations; P.A. 93-206 substituted “office” for “bureau”, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 16-150 replaced “office” with “division” and made technical changes.