1. (1) This section creates the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant Program.

2. (2) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (7), the board shall award a grant to an applicant who:

   1. (a) is a certified peace officer, currently employed by a law enforcement agency within the state; and
   2. (b) is seeking a post-secondary degree in the area of criminal justice from a degree-granting institution described in Section 53H-1-102.

3. (3)

   1. (a) Subject to Subsection (3)(b), the board may award a qualified applicant up to the cost of tuition and fees.

   2. (b) A grant award under Subsection (3)(a) is limited to:

      1. (i) a maximum of $5,000 each academic year; and
      2. (ii) a maximum of four academic years.
4. (4) The board shall design the program to ensure that degree-granting institutions combine loans, grants, employment, and family and individual contributions toward financing the cost of attendance.
5. (5) Notwithstanding Subsection (4), the board may not award a scholarship described in Section 53H-11-403 to an applicant receiving a grant under this section.

6. (6)

   1. (a) The board shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to:

      1. (i) set deadlines for receiving grant applications and supporting documentation; and
      2. (ii) establish the application process and an appeal process for the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant Program.
   2. (b) The board shall include a disclosure on all applications and related materials that the amount of the awarded grants may be subject to funding or be reduced, in accordance with Subsection (7).

7. (7)

   1. (a) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall make an annual appropriation from the Income Tax Fund to the board for the costs associated with the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant Program authorized under this section.

   2. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the appropriation under this section is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant Program, the board may:

      1. (i) reduce the amount of a grant; or
      2. (ii) distribute grants on a pro rata basis to all eligible applicants who submitted a complete application before the application deadline.
8. (8) Notwithstanding Subsection 53H-11-403(5), the board may not award a grant under this section to an applicant receiving a scholarship under the Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program described in Section 53H-11-403.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8, 2025 Special Session 1