Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Ways & Means Committee |
HB 2134
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Reimbursing the criminal justice training commission for certain training costs.
Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins and Hunter; by request of Office of Financial Management.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 12/2/11
Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841) and Alex MacBain (786-7288).
Background:
The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) provides basic law enforcement training, corrections training, and educational programs for criminal justice personnel, including commissioned officers, corrections officers, and other public safety professionals.
Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Basic law enforcement officer training is generally required of all law enforcement officers, with the exception of volunteers and reserve officers employed in Washington. The training consists of a 720-hour program (18 weeks) covering a wide variety of subjects including: criminal law and procedures, criminal investigation, firearms training, traffic enforcement, crisis intervention, defensive tactics, and communication skills. Law enforcement personnel must begin basic law enforcement training within the first six months of employment unless otherwise waived by the CJTC.
Law Enforcement Training Costs: The CJTC generally provides all the necessary training, facilities, supplies, materials, and room and board (for non-commuting attendees). However, during the 2011-13 biennium, local law enforcement agencies that employ a law enforcement officer must reimburse the CJTC for 25 percent of the training costs.
Corrections Officer Academy. Basic corrections officer training is generally required of all corrections personnel of the state and local municipalities. The training consists of either a 160-hour (4 weeks) program for adult jails or an 80-hour program for juvenile facilities that teaches the skills needed for maintaining the custody, safety, care, management, and security of jails or juvenile facilities. Corrections personnel must begin basic law enforcement training within the first six months of employment unless otherwise waived by the CJTC.
Prison corrections officers are trained in a separate academy maintained and operated by the Department of Corrections.
Correctional Officer Training Costs: The CJTC provides all the necessary training, facilities, supplies, materials, and room and board (for non-commuting attendees) at no cost to the academy attendees or their employers.
Other Specialized Training Courses Provided by the CJTC. In addition to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy and the Law Enforcement Academy, the CJTC provides training to:
Persons responsible for investigating and interviewing children for child sexual abuse and neglect cases;
Law enforcement officers on vehicular pursuits;
Law enforcement officers on how to interact with persons with developmental disabilities or mentally illnesses;
Law enforcement officers on how to identify, respond to, and report malicious harassment crimes and other crimes of bigotry or bias;
Law enforcement on investigating and interviewing techniques for cases involving child abuse and neglect; and
Law enforcement and corrections officers hired or promoted to first level supervisors and middle management positions.
Specialized Training Costs: All training is provided by the CJTC at no cost to the attendee or his or her employer.
Summary of Bill:
Effective July 1, 2012, any county or city agency that employs, transfers, or promotes a law enforcement officer or a corrections officer must reimburse the CJTC for 50 percent of the total costs relating to training that particular officer. In addition, county and city agencies will be responsible for reimbursing the CJTC for 50 percent of the training costs relating to employees participating in any specialized training courses for investigating child sexual abuse cases, vehicular pursuits, interacting with persons with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses, identifying and responding to malicious harassment crimes, and investigating child abuse and neglect cases.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.