HB 1451 Summary

• Requires law enforcement officers to intervene when witnessing excessive force by another officer, with criminal penalties (misdemeanor for nondeadly force; felony for deadly force causing death or serious injury).

• Mandates body cameras and dashboard cameras for law enforcement officers during duty and requires public disclosure of recordings when officers discharge firearms or use stun guns/chemical irritants resulting in serious injury or death within 15 days.

• Prohibits neck restraints (chokeholds, carotid restraints) by law enforcement and correctional officers, with criminal penalties and disciplinary action available.

• Establishes liability insurance requirements for local law enforcement agencies and creates a statewide police misconduct registry (operational by June 30, 2022) containing complaints, disciplinary records, terminations, and lawsuits.

• Creates a civil action for deprivation of constitutional rights against officers, employees, or agents acting under color of law, with provisions for attorney fees, affirmative defenses, and limits on qualified immunity.