BILL REQ. #:  H-3709.1 

Read first time 01/19/12.   Referred to Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

     AN ACT Relating to preventing the adoption by any state or local law enforcement agency of any federal recommendations regarding use of force other than those clearly and expressly required or authorized by an act of congress; adding a new chapter to Title 7 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that use of force issues are criminal justice and law enforcement matters left to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and any use of force policies or practices recommended or imposed by the federal government, other than those clearly and expressly required or authorized by an act of congress, are not binding on state and local government agencies.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   State or local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from adopting any federal recommendations or mandates regarding use of force other than those clearly and expressly required or authorized by an act of congress.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The attorney general shall provide legal assistance to any state or local law enforcement agency sued by the federal government for the failure to adopt any use of force policies or practices recommended or mandated by the federal government, other than those clearly and expressly required or authorized by an act of congress.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Sections 2 and 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 7 RCW.