FL H0781

Creates section 943.17275 of Florida Statutes requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to establish a continued employment training component on mental illness for law enforcement officers.

Defines "mental illness" as an impairment of emotional processes or ability to perceive reality that substantially interferes with ordinary living, excluding intellectual disability, autism, intoxication, and substance abuse conditions.

Requires training component to include instruction on recognizing symptoms and characteristics of mental illness and appropriate officer responses to individuals exhibiting such symptoms.

Allows completion of the mental illness training to count toward the 40 hours of instruction required under section 943.135 for continued employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.