S.B. 151 Summary

• Requires all law enforcement departments and agencies to maintain and publicly disclose a use of force policy that includes minimum standards for de-escalation techniques, proportional force, officer intercession, deadly force guidelines, training requirements, and regular policy review.

• Mandates that law enforcement officers who observe another officer using excessive force must report it in writing to their division head immediately or as soon as practicable; division heads must complete investigations within 15 days and notify the chief of police of the outcome.

• Establishes a reporting chain where the chief of police must notify the police commission within 15 days of investigation outcomes, and allows police commissions to conduct their own investigations if a department head is the subject of the report.

• Requires that law enforcement recruits receive training in de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, mental health response, implicit bias, legal standards, and first aid before appointment as an officer.

• Prohibits any discriminatory, disciplinary, or retaliatory action against officers who report excessive force in good faith; use of force policies and training can be introduced as evidence in legal proceedings involving officer use of force.

• Takes effect January 1, 2024.