(1) As used in this section: (a) "Peace officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53H-11-306. (b) "POST" means the Peace Officer Standards and Training Division created in Section 53-6-103. (c) "Program" means the Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program that this section creates. (2) This section creates the Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program. (3) (a) Subject to legislative appropriations, the board shall award a scholarship to a qualified applicant who: (i) is a high school graduate; (ii) submits an application to the board with a copy of the student's high school diploma; (iii) when eligible, enrolls in a basic training course at a state certified academy as defined in Section 53-6-202; (iv) subject to Subsection (3)(b), is enrolled in a qualifying post-secondary program from: (A) an institution of higher education listed in Section 53H-1-102; or (B) a private postsecondary educational institution; and (v) commits to working as a peace officer for no less than five years after the day on which POST certifies the scholarship recipient. (b) For purposes of Subsection (3)(a)(iv), the board shall determine the programs that qualify for a scholarship award, including criminal justice, police administration, criminology, social sciences, and other disciplines. (4) (a) The board shall determine the amount of a scholarship award, ensuring that the amount does not exceed the combined cost of tuition, fees, and required textbooks. (b) A scholarship award described in Subsection (4)(a) is limited to: (i) POST training and certification in accordance with Title 53, Chapter 6, Peace Officer Standards and Training Act; and (ii) a maximum of four academic years in a post-secondary program. (5) The board shall design the scholarship program to ensure that participating institutions combine state or federal loans or grants, internships, student employment, and family and individual contributions toward financing the cost of attendance. (6) A scholarship recipient shall: (a) notify the board of the scholarship recipient's POST certification within 15 days after the day on which POST certifies the scholarship recipient; (b) submit verification of the scholarship recipient's employment to the board within 15 days after the day on which the scholarship recipient is employed as a peace officer, including: (i) the employer's name, address, and telephone number; (ii) the date of the scholarship recipient's hiring; and (iii) the scholarship recipient's job title; and (c) notify the board within 15 days after the day on which the employer terminates the scholarship recipient. (7) (a) The board may require a scholarship recipient to repay the full amount of the scholarship award that the scholarship recipient received under the program, including money paid for tuition, fees, and required textbooks, if the scholarship recipient fails to: (i) meet the requirements for POST certification as described in Title 53, Chapter 6, Part 2, Peace Officer Training and Certification Act; (ii) work as a peace officer for five years after the day on which POST certifies the scholarship recipient; or (iii) subject to Subsection (3), earn a degree in a post-secondary program. (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (7)(a), a scholarship recipient is not required to repay any amount of the scholarship award if the scholarship recipient: (i) is unable to secure employment as a peace officer within 12 months after the day on which the scholarship recipient is POST certified; and (ii) provides documentation from a prospective employer that the scholarship recipient was not extended an offer of employment. (8) The board may use up to 2% of the money appropriated for the scholarship program for administrative costs. (9) (a) The board shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to: (i) set deadlines for receiving scholarship applications and supporting documentation; (ii) establish an application process and appeal process for the program; (iii) establish policies and procedures for cancellation or repayment of scholarship awards if the scholarship recipient fails to meet the requirements under this section; (iv) collaborate with POST and other law enforcement and correction agencies to provide high school students information on law enforcement careers; and (v) notify POST when a student receives a scholarship under the program. (b) The board shall include a disclosure on all applications and materials related to the program that the amount of the awarded scholarship may be subject to funding availability or reduction in accordance with Subsection (10). (10) If an appropriation under this section is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the program, the board may: (a) reduce the amount of a scholarship award; and (b) distribute scholarship awards on a pro rata basis to all eligible applicants who submitted a complete application before the application deadline. Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8, 2025 Special Session 1
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