Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends various provisions of criminal justice law.

Highlights:

• Specifies that law enforcement officers will use and promote bias-free policing that emphasizes de-escalation and disengagement tactics and techniques (Sec. 4).

• Defines “Bias-Free Policing” as decisions made by law enforcement officers that do not consider a person’s race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic level, and mental or physical disability (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits detained individuals from being placed in solitary confinement as a consequence for noncompliance, harassment, or retaliation for any conduct (Sec. 167).

• Specifies that an individual’s record will be sealed 1 year after their completion of parole and not allowed to be used as evidence to disqualify them from employment in the public service industry, or any other industry thereof (Sec. 299).

• Authorizes the municipal police-training committee to establish an in-service training program for law enforcement officers that addresses the following issues, including, but not limited to (Sec. 5):

• Training over unconscious or implicit bias relating to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status; and

• Training on mental health emergencies involving victims, witnesses, or suspects with a mental illness or developmental disability that focuses on reducing the risk of harm.

• Specifies that in-service training presenters will include the following types of professions and individuals (Sec. 5):

• Certified mental health practitioners with expertise in the delivery of care to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies; and

• Victims, witnesses, and suspects with a mental illness or developmental disability.

• Authorizes the committee to determine the training requirements and minimum standards of the program that all law enforcement agencies shall implement in their training of law enforcement officials (Sec. 5).

• Establishes the Criminal Justice and Community Support Trust Fund to help accomplish the following, including but not limited to (Sec. 26):

• Fund jail diversion programs for individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder and provide appropriate treatment options; and

• Develop and strengthen communities heavily impacted by the criminal justice system by providing job training, creation, and placement.

• Specifies that an individual found guilty to have knowingly or intentionally manufacture, distribute, or possess a class A controlled substance will serve a prison sentence not to exceed 10 years, and a fine not to exceed $10,000 (Sec. 89).

• Specifies that materials, compounds, and mixtures that have been tested to contain the following substances will be classified as a class A controlled substance, including, but not limited to (Sec. 86):

• Acetyl or Cyclopropyl Fentanyl; or

• Fentanyl or Carfentanil;

• Increases the age that an individual will be considered to be “the age of criminal majority” and subject to the full extent of the law from 18 to 19 years old (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an individual found guilty of assault or battery on a police officer will serve a mandatory prison sentence of 1 year, not to exceed 10 years, and subject to a fine between $500 and $10,000 (Sec. 225).

• Establishes a special commission to study the health and safety of lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, and intersex prisoners in order to evaluate current access to appropriate healthcare services (Sec. 339).

• Specifies that the performance of a school resource officer will be reviewed annually by the superintendent and chief of police (Sec. 34).

Full Bill Text