Lone bill to address law enforcement vehicular pursuits advances with amendments

The lone remaining bill to address vehicular pursuits by law enforcement has passed out of the House policy committee and now awaits a vote on the House floor.

SB 5919 as amended now requires the following before a law enforcement officer may engage in a pursuit:

• An officer must have reasonable suspicion that a person in the vehicle has committed or is committing a violent offense, a DUI, or if the person poses a threat of serious injury or death to another person;
• An officer must notify a supervising officer immediately upon initiating the vehicular pursuit;
• Supervisors must maintain oversight of the pursuit;
• Agencies engaged in a pursuit must notify other law enforcement agencies that may be impacted by the pursuit or called upon to assist; and
• As soon as practicable, the pursuing officer or supervisor must develop a plan to end the pursuit through the use of available intervention options.

The bill also adds requirements for offers to have completed training related to pursuits prior to engaging in pursuits.

The bill contains an emergency clause and would take effect upon passage.