SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1931

As of March 20, 2003

Title: An act relating to providing law enforcement officers with training in interaction with people with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

Brief Description: Regarding the training of law enforcement officers.

Sponsors: House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Lantz, Hankins, Chase, Dunshee, Flannigan, Veloria and Haigh).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 3/27/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Staff: Jinnah Rose-McFadden (786-7421)

Background: All Washington State peace officers are required to complete basic law enforcement training. Pursuant to statutory requirements, the Criminal Justice Training Commission is responsible for establishing and providing basic law enforcement training. Currently, the basic law enforcement curriculum is composed of the following core subject areas: introduction to law enforcement, criminal law, criminal procedures, patrol procedures, communication skills, emergency vehicle operation, human relations, traffic law, firearms, defensive tactics, and criminal investigation.

Summary of Bill: The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) must offer a training session on law enforcement interaction with people with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities. The CJTC must develop the training in consultation with appropriate community, local, and state organizations and agencies, as well as appropriate consumer and family advocate groups.

The training must consist of classroom or internet instruction and, at a minimum, must address the following areas: (1) the cause and nature of mental illnesses and developmental disabilities; (2) how to identify indicators of mental illness and developmental disability, as well as how to respond appropriately in a variety of common situations; (3) conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for potentially dangerous situations involving people with mental illness and/or a developmental disability; (4) appropriate language usage when interacting with people with mental illness and/or a developmental disability; (5) alternatives to lethal force when interacting with people with mental illness and/or a developmental disability; and (6) community and state resources available to serve people with mental illness and/or a developmental disability, as well as how law enforcement can use these resources.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.