Bill
Bill > SB1194
VA SB1194
VA SB1194Law-enforcement agencies and officers; establishing training curriculum on certain arrests.
summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
Crossed Over
02/22/2025
02/22/2025
Passed
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/02/2025
04/02/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Department of Criminal Justice Services; training on certain arrests. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a training course for law-enforcement agencies and officers on the discretion such officers can exercise regarding certain arrests. The bill requires that such training include (i) instruction on the scope and nature of law-enforcement officer discretion in arrest decisions, with particular emphasis on encounters with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, including individuals currently subject to an emergency custody order, a temporary detention order, or an involuntary admission order, and (ii) instruction on the immediate and long-term effects of arrests on individuals in need of mental health services due to a mental health crisis, including impacts on treatment outcomes as identified in substantially accepted peer-reviewed research literature by July 1, 2026. The bill requires any person employed as a law-enforcement officer prior to July 1, 2026, to complete such in-person or virtual training by January 1, 2027, and biennially thereafter, and any person employed as a law-enforcement officer after July 1, 2026, to complete the training within one year of his date of hire and biennially thereafter. Lastly, the bill directs the Criminal Justice Services Board to promulgate regulations pursuant to relevant law requiring in-person or virtual training to special conservators of the peace on the provisions of the bill and other existing statutes related to the arrest and prosecution of persons with mental or behavioral health disorders by July 1, 2026. The bill requires any person appointed as a special conservator of the peace prior to July 1, 2026, to complete the training by January 1, 2027, and biennially thereafter, and any person appointed as a special conservator of the peace after July 1, 2026, to complete the training within one year of his appointment and biennially thereafter.As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission. This bill is identical to HB 1712.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new mandatory training curriculum for law enforcement agencies and officers in Virginia focused on arrest discretion, particularly in situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. The training, to be developed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services by July 1, 2027, will include instruction on the scope of officer discretion in arrest decisions, with special emphasis on encounters involving individuals subject to emergency custody orders, temporary detention orders, or involuntary admission orders. The curriculum will also cover the immediate and long-term effects of arrests on individuals needing mental health services, drawing from peer-reviewed research on treatment outcomes. Law enforcement officers employed before July 1, 2027, must review the course materials by January 1, 2028, and those hired after that date must review the materials within one year of employment. Additionally, the bill requires special conservators of the peace to undergo similar training, with initial and renewal registrations after July 1, 2027, mandating review of the new curriculum. The goal is to improve law enforcement's understanding and handling of mental health-related encounters, promoting more compassionate and effective interventions.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0619) (on 04/02/2025)
Official Document
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