Bill Summary: Raised Bill No. 267 - Department of Civilian Justice

• Establishes a new Department of Civilian Justice effective January 1, 2021, led by a Governor-appointed Commissioner serving maximum eight-year terms, with investigative and adjudicatory units headed by deputy commissioners.

• Creates mechanism for police officers to file complaints alleging misconduct by other police officers, with investigations completed within 14 days and probable cause hearings held within 30 days.

• Empowers the department to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, adjudicate complaints, and impose discipline ranging from reprimands to dismissal from employment with specified employment prohibitions based on misconduct severity.

• Prohibits rehiring of officers dismissed for malfeasance or serious misconduct permanently, or for five years if dismissed for other conduct, unless exonerated; requires notification to other law enforcement units of dismissed or resigned officers.

• Exempts police officers covered by existing collective bargaining agreements on January 1, 2021, but requires all future agreements to incorporate department investigation and discipline provisions.