HF 2735

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; funding peace officer training in managing and policing
citizens with mental and emotional problems; appropriating funds.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MANAGING AND POLICING CITIZENS WITH MENTAL AND
EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Training course. new text end

new text begin The Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
must solicit proposals for and certify a training course of at least four hours to educate
peace officers in the best practices of managing and policing citizens with mental and
emotional problems. The course must address the following components:
new text end

new text begin (1) types and forms of mental illness, including their symptoms;
new text end

new text begin (2) the impact that mental illnesses have on individuals, families, and communities;
new text end

new text begin (3) stabilization and de-escalation techniques for peace officers;
new text end

new text begin (4) alternatives for managing citizens with mental illness;
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new text begin (5) community resources available to citizens with mental illness; and
new text end

new text begin (6) legal issues pertaining to the mentally ill, including civil commitment and data
practices.
new text end

new text begin In selecting an entity to teach the course, the board shall give preference to proposals
that (1) expose course participants to persons with mental illness and to community
mental health professionals and (2) incorporate role playing and group problem-solving
exercises. In preparing the board's selection criteria, its staff and members should review
a report published by the Justice Center of the Council of State Governments entitled
"Improving Response to People with Mental Illness: The Essentials of a Specialized
Police-Based Program."
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the executive
director of the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training to reimburse officers for
participating in courses that address managing and policing citizens with mental and
emotional problems. Of this amount, $....... is for reimbursement grants to participants in
the course described in section 1. Of this amount, $....... is for reimbursement grants to
participants in a 40-hour or more course that meets the standards of the Memphis Crisis
Intervention Team Model. The board may fully or partially reimburse peace officers
who complete the training. The board may require law enforcement agencies to match
any partial reimbursement.
new text end