HB75 Alabama 2021 Session

Under existing law, a law enforcement officer must successfully complete the law enforcement training course at an academy approved by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) before he or she can be a certified officer. However, there is no specific training regarding Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) in the curriculum

This bill would require the APOSTC to provide mandatory CIT programs for trainees in commission-approved academies

This bill would also require a certified law enforcement officer to complete a continuing education course relating to crisis intervention

Relating to law enforcement officers; to require the APOSTC to provide a mandatory CIT program for existing law enforcement officers and certain trainees under certain conditions.

Section 1

(a) By January 1, 2022, the APOSTC shall provide a stand alone crisis intervention training program (CIT), as part of the curriculum of training required under Section 36-21-46, Code of Alabama 1975, to all law enforcement trainees within the commission's jurisdiction. (b) A law enforcement officer certified by the commission prior to January 1, 2022, shall complete the CIT program required under subsection (a) by January 1, 2023. (c) The commission shall collaborate with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama, in the development of the CIT program. The program shall be modeled in accordance with the NAMI Alabama existing program standards. (d) The commission shall annually review and update the training to include changes and trends in crisis intervention. (e) The commission may adopt rules for the implementation and administration of this act.

Section 2

This act shall become effective immediately, following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.