HB 277 Summary

• Establishes statewide vehicular law enforcement pursuit policies effective January 1, 2027, allowing pursuits only for specified felonies and misdemeanors involving physical harm, kidnapping, robbery, sexual offenses, assault, family abuse, escape, and DUI when necessary to identify/apprehend suspects and the person poses serious risk of harm.

• Requires pursuing officers to immediately notify supervising officers, consider alternatives, and develop a plan to end pursuits using approved intervention tactics; mandates activation of emergency lights, sirens, body-worn cameras, and dashboard cameras during pursuits.

• Prohibits law enforcement from firing weapons at moving vehicles unless necessary to protect against imminent serious physical harm or death and no other reasonable means exist to avoid the threat.

• Requires all law enforcement agencies to submit annual vehicular pursuit reports to the Department of the Attorney General with specific data including reason for pursuit, locations, circumstances, injuries, termination method, and violations charged or arrests made.

• Requires Attorney General to adopt rules by July 1, 2026; directs Police Standards Board to develop a model pursuit policy by July 1, 2026; mandates each agency adopt compliant written policies and make them publicly available by January 1, 2027; requires biennial officer training on pursuit requirements.