A bill providing increased oversight and accountability of law enforcement officers has passed both chambers of the Legislature. After being amended in the House, SB 5051 must now return to the Senate for concurrence.

In addition to the changes adopted last week by the House Appropriations Committee, the House further amended SB 5051 to:

• Require the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2021, detailing:
  • The number of peace officers and other categories of officers required to complete basic law enforcement training and certification requirements;
  • Recommendations for clarifying updates to statutes and rules defining and categorizing officers; and
  • The backlog, prioritization of admission, and demand for the CJTC's basic law enforcement academy classes.
• Allow a tribal government, prior to requesting certification for its police officers, to request a consultation with the CJTC in order to ensure clarity regarding the certification requirements.
• Remove the provision stating that the background investigation may include any other test or assessment required in rule by the CJTC and instead reinstates current law providing that statutorily required background tests or assessments must be administered in compliance with standards established by the CJTC.

AWC supports the additional changes to the bill.