Bill > SB288

This bill establishes clear guidelines for the handling of law enforcement weapons after an officer-involved shooting. Specifically, when a law enforcement officer is involved in a shooting, their weapon must be collected by investigators, photographed, and submitted to the state criminalistics laboratory for comprehensive testing, including test firing, collecting cartridge cases and ammunition, and documenting the weapon's unique characteristics. After the investigation is completed, and provided there are no pending appeals and no criminal charges are filed or being considered against the officer, the weapon must be returned to the original law enforcement agency within 7 days. This expedited return process ensures that the agency can reintegrate the weapon into field service quickly while still maintaining a thorough investigative process. The bill is intended to be codified as part of Title 44, Chapter 3, Part 3 of the state's legal code, which suggests it is part of a broader framework of law enforcement procedures and regulations.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4301