FL H0219

Creates Florida Statute 943.1727 requiring the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission to incorporate crisis intervention training into the basic skills course curriculum for law enforcement officer initial certification.

Defines "crisis intervention" as policing techniques or strategies for dealing with persons with autism, autism spectrum disorders, or mental disorders encountered by law enforcement officers during their duties.

Requires the commission to establish a continued employment training component on crisis intervention that counts toward the 40 hours of required instruction for continued employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer.

Directs public safety dispatchers and 911 operators to be encouraged by their employers to inquire whether a person requesting law enforcement response has autism, an autism spectrum disorder, or a mental disorder, and to inform responding officers of such information when learned.

Effective date: October 1, 2017.