HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6301
As Reported by House Committee On:
Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry
Title: An act relating to basic law enforcement academy.
Brief Description: Concerning basic law enforcement academy.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Lovick, Dhingra, Boehnke, Hunt, Kuderer, Lovelett, MacEwen, Mullet, Padden, Shewmake, Warnick and Wilson, J.).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry: 2/14/24, 2/19/24 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Authorizes the Criminal Justice Training Commission to accept donated money or property for the purpose of funding a Basic Law Enforcement Academy class.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY SAFETY, JUSTICE, & REENTRY
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 9 members:Representatives Goodman, Chair; Simmons, Vice Chair; Mosbrucker, Ranking Minority Member; Griffey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Davis, Farivar, Fosse, Graham and Ramos.
Staff: Corey Patton (786-7388).
Background:

The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) provides basic and advanced law enforcement training and educational programs for law enforcement, local corrections officers, and other public safety professionals, including by administering the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA).  All law enforcement personnel except volunteers and reserve officers are required to complete the BLEA.  The BLEA consists of a 720-hour program addressing a variety of subjects, including:

  • criminal law and procedures;
  • traffic enforcement;
  • cultural awareness;
  • communication and writing skills;
  • emergency vehicle operations;
  • firearms;
  • crisis intervention;
  • patrol procedures;
  • criminal investigations; and
  • defensive tactics.

 

The CJTC is authorized to accept, receive, disburse, and administer grants or other funds or gifts from any source, including private individuals or agencies, the federal government, and other public agencies, for certain purposes.
Summary of Bill:

The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) may accept any money or property donated, devised, or bequeathed to it for the purpose of funding a class of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  The CJTC may not consider any input on its policy decisions or curricula from any person who has donated, devised, or bequeathed property.  The CJTC may determine the value of any property for the purpose of recognizing donations and must, to the extent feasible, coordinate donations with any grant applications or other sources of funding or gifts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There is currently a six-month waiting time for new recruits to begin a class of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA), which is required training under state law.  This bill provides great utility by giving businesses and organizations the opportunity to adopt and fund a BLEA class.  This will help reduce the waiting time for classes, allow the Criminal Justice Training Commission to host additional classes, and bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Senator John Lovick, prime sponsor; Lacey Ledford, Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission; and James McMahan, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.