Bill > A5788

Introduced Session

This bill requires certain law enforcement officers to be periodically vetted for evidence of personal bias. Under the bill, a State, county, or municipal police department or force, as applicable, is required to conduct a personal bias check of a law enforcement officer employed by that State or local unit. The personal bias check is to be conducted upon hiring the law enforcement officer and every five years thereafter. The personal bias check is required to include, but not be limited to, a review of any publicly accessible information pertaining to the the law enforcement officer that demonstrates: (1) evidence of personal bias or prejudice held by the law enforcement officer against a person or group by reason of the person's or group's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity; and (2) evidence of involvement or affiliation by the law enforcement officer with an extremist group. The personal bias check is also required to include the administration of a test, developed in consultation with the appropriate testing professional, that is designed to identify bias, including, but not limited to, explicit and implicit bias against a person or group by reason of the person or group's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. The bill defines "extremist group" to mean a group that utilizes the unlawful use or threat of force in furtherance of an ideological agenda derived from bias against a person or group or anti-government or anti-authority sentiment, including opposition to perceived economic, social, or racial hierarchies, or perceived government overreach, negligence, or illegitimacy.

Committee Categories

Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)*,  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)*, 

Transferred to Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee (on 06/14/2021)