Bill > SB2005

This bill requires that individuals acting as fire investigators with police powers, including the authority to arrest, in cases of arson or suspected arson must be certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST). This applies to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance and their deputies, as well as municipal and county fire investigators who are authorized to conduct such investigations. The bill clarifies that these individuals can still conduct investigations into the cause and origin of fires without police powers even if they are not POST-certified. However, there are provisions for existing municipal and county fire investigators hired before January 1, 2021, who will have until January 1, 2030, to obtain POST certification if hired on or after January 1, 2021, and serving on January 1, 2027. The POST commission will issue certificates of compliance to these fire investigators after January 1, 2028, provided they meet police officer qualifications and complete approved training, and they must also complete annual in-service training to maintain certification.