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SB-1296 Peace officer training: traumatic brain injury: post-traumatic stress disorder.(2009-2010)

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SB1296:v96#DOCUMENT

Senate Bill No. 1296
CHAPTER 490

An act to add Section 13515.36 to the Penal Code, relating to peace officer training.

[ Approved by Governor  September 29, 2010. Filed with Secretary of State  September 29, 2010. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 1296, Correa. Peace officer training: traumatic brain injury: post-traumatic stress disorder.
Existing law provides that the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training establish and keep updated various training programs to maintain the level of competence of various law enforcement officers.
This bill would require the commission to assess the training needed by peace officers on the topic of returning veterans or other persons suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Should the commission find a need for the training, the bill would require the commission, in consultation with designated entities with expertise in TBI and PTSD, to create and make available a course for peace officers, who are first responders in emergency situations, on how to recognize and interact with persons suffering from TBI or PTSD, as specified. The bill would also require the commission to distribute, as necessary, a training bulletin via the Internet to specified law enforcement agencies on the topics of TBI and PTSD, and to report to the Legislature, no later than June 30, 2012, on the extent to which peace officers are receiving adequate training in how to interact with persons suffering from TBI or PTSD.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 13515.36 is added to the Penal Code, to read:

13515.36.
 (a) The commission shall meet with the Department of Veterans Affairs and community, local, or other state organizations and agencies that have expertise in the area of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to assess the training needed by peace officers, who are first responders in emergency situations, on the topic of returning veterans or other persons suffering from TBI or PTSD.
(b) Should the commission determine that there is an unfulfilled need for training on TBI and PTSD, the commission shall determine the training format that is both fiscally responsible and meets the training needs of the greatest number of officers.
(c) Should the commission determine that there is an unfulfilled need for training on TBI and PTSD, the commission shall, upon the next regularly scheduled review of a training module relating to persons with disabilities, create and make available on DVD and may distribute electronically, or provide by means of another form or method of training, a course on how to recognize and interact with returning veterans or other persons suffering from TBI or PTSD. This course shall be designed for, and made available to, peace officers who are first responders to emergency situations.
(d) The training course shall be developed by the commission in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs and appropriate community, local, or other state organizations and agencies that have expertise in the area of TBI and PTSD. The commission shall make the course available to law enforcement agencies in California.
(e) In addition to the duties contained in subdivisions (a), (b),(c), and (d), the commission shall distribute, as necessary, a training bulletin via the Internet to law enforcement agencies participating in the commission’s program on the topic of TBI and PTSD.
(f) The commission shall report to the Legislature, no later than June 30, 2012, on the extent to which peace officers are receiving adequate training in how to interact with persons suffering from TBI or PTSD.
(g) (1) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under subdivision (f) is inoperative on June 30, 2016, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.
(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (f) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.