HB0356 - Cook County Drug Analysis Field Test Pilot Program

• Establishes a one-year pilot program in Cook County allowing police to use drug analysis field test devices to determine if recovered substances are cannabis, cocaine, or heroin.

• Permits field test results to be used as evidence of probable cause at preliminary examinations in lieu of waiting for Department of State Police drug chemistry laboratory reports, which can take several weeks.

• Requires the Chicago Police Superintendent to create the program within 30 days and establish training and inventory procedures for field test devices.

• Mandates the Pilot Program Study Committee submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly (December 31, 2015; March 31, 2016; June 30, 2016) and a final report by November 1, 2016, evaluating impacts on custody length, economic costs, and jail population.

• Automatically repeals on January 1, 2017, with the study committee dissolving upon issuance of the final report.