HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 93

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO FACILITATE INTERACTION WITH PERSONS WITH MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Law Enforcement Training Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] INTERACTION WITH PERSONS WITH MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS--TRAINING.--

          A. A minimum of forty hours of crisis management, including crisis intervention, confrontation de-escalation practicum and proper interaction with persons with mental impairments training, shall be included in the curriculum of each basic law enforcement training class. A minimum of four hours of crisis management, including crisis intervention, confrontation de-escalation practicum and proper interaction with persons with mental impairments training, shall be included as a component of in-service law enforcement training each year for certified police officers.

          B. A pre-recorded course on crisis management, including crisis intervention, confrontation de-escalation practicum and proper interaction with persons with mental impairments training, shall not satisfy the requirements of a crisis management basic law enforcement training class.

          C. As used in this section, "mental impairment" includes a mental illness, developmental disability, posttraumatic stress disorder, dual diagnosis, autism, youth in crisis and traumatic brain injury."

     SECTION 2. Section 29-7C-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 320, Section 9) is amended to read:

     "29-7C-7. IN-SERVICE TELECOMMUNICATOR TRAINING.--

          A. In-service telecommunicator training consists of at least twenty hours of board-approved advanced training, including one hour of crisis management, including crisis intervention, confrontation de-escalation practicum and proper interaction with persons with mental impairments training, for each certified telecommunicator during each two-year period. The first training course shall commence no later than twelve months after graduation from a board-approved basic telecommunicator training program.

          B. A certified telecommunicator shall provide proof of completion of in-service training requirements to the director no later than March 1 of the year subsequent to the year in which the requirements are met. The director shall provide annual notice to all certified telecommunicators regarding in-service training requirements. Failure to complete in-service training requirements may be grounds for suspension of a telecommunicator's certification at the director's discretion. A telecommunicator may be reinstated at the discretion of the director when the telecommunicator presents to the director evidence [he] the telecommunicator has satisfied the in-service training requirements.

          C. As used in this section, "mental impairment" includes a mental illness, developmental disability, posttraumatic stress disorder, dual diagnosis, autism, youth in crisis and traumatic brain injury."

     SECTION 3. TEMPORARY PROVISION--IMMEDIATE TRAINING--REQUIRED.--

          A. The chief law enforcement officer of a state, county or municipal law enforcement agency who was elected or appointed prior to July 1, 2011 shall complete a minimum of two hours of crisis management, including crisis intervention, confrontation de-escalation practicum and proper interaction with persons with mental impairments training, no later than July 1, 2012.

          B. A law enforcement officer who on September 1, 2010 held an intermediate proficiency certificate or an advanced proficiency certificate issued pursuant to Section 29-7-7.1 NMSA 1978 shall complete a minimum of two hours of crisis management, including crisis intervention, confrontation de-escalation practicum and proper interaction with persons with mental impairments training, no later than July 1, 2012.

          C. As used in this section, "mental impairment" includes a mental illness, developmental disability, posttraumatic stress disorder, dual diagnosis, autism, youth in crisis and traumatic brain injury.

     SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2011.

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