SB 547 — Law-enforcement training; communication with individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY ––-- 2024 SESSION CHAPTER E773 An Act to amend and reenact § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, relating to law-enforcement training;

R O [S 547] Approved LApril L8, 2024 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

E § 9.1-102.

DThe Department, under the direction of the Board, which shall be the policy-making body for carrying out the duties and powers hereunder, shall have the power and duty to:makingto: body for 1.

Adopt1. regulations, pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), for the administration of this chapter including the authority to require the submission of reports and information by law-enforcement officers within the Commonwealth.

AnyAdopt proposedregulations, regulationspursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), for the administration of this chapter including the authority to require the submission of reports and concerning the privacy, confidentiality, and security of criminal justice information shall be submitted for review and comment to any board, commission, or committee or other body which may be established by the General Assembly to regulate the privacy, confidentiality, and security of iBformationinformation collected and maintained by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof;

42. officer in (i) permanent positions and (ii) temporary or probationary status and establish the Eime required for completion of such training.

Establish compulsory minimum training standards subsequent to employment as a law-enforcement officer in (i) permanent positions and (ii) temporary or probationary status and establish the time required for completion of such training.

radar5. or an electrical or microcomputer device to measure the speed of motor vehicles as provided in § 46.2-882 and establish the time required for completion of the training and (ii) compulsory minimum qualifications for certification and recertification of instructors who provide such training;

Establish (i) compulsory minimum training standards for law-enforcement officers who utilize radar or an electrical or microcomputer device to measure the speed of motor vehicles as provided in § 46.2-882 and establish the time required for completion of the training and (ii) compulsory minimum qualifications for certification and recertification of instructors who provide such training;

Establish compulsory minimum entry-level, in-service and advanced training standards for deputy sheriffs designated to serve process pursuant to the provisions of § 8.01-293, and establish the time required for the completion of such training;

to the provisions of § 8.01-293, and establish the time 9.

or10. state government agency, whose duties include the dispatching of law-enforcement personnel.

SuchcalEstablish compulsory minimum training standards shallfor applyall onlydispatchers toemployed dispatchersby hiredor onin any local or afterstate Julygovernment 1,agency, 1988;whose duties include the dispatching of law-enforcement personnel.

Such training standards shall apply only to dispatchers hired on or after July 1, 1988;

Consult and cooperate with counties, municipalities, agencies of the Commonwealth, other state and federal governmental agencies, and institutions of higher education within or outside the instruction;,Commonwealth, concerning the development of police training schools and programs or courses of 13.instruction;

Approve13. institutions, curricula and facilities, whether located in or outside the Commonwealth, of 6 for school operation for the specific purpose of training law-enforcement officers;

Approve institutions, curricula and facilities, whether located in or outside the Commonwealth, for school operation for the specific purpose of training law-enforcement officers;

of 6 14.

of 6 32.

Receive, administer, and expend all funds and other assistance available to the Board and the Department for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and the Omnibus Crime Control and SafeESafe Streets Act of 1968, as amended;

Apply for and accept grants from the United States government or any other source in carrying out the purposes of this chapter and accept any and all donations both real and personal, and gRantsgrants of of 6 money from any governmental unit or public agency, or from any institution, person, firm or shallcorporation, beand detailedmay inreceive, theutilize annualand reportdispose of the Board.same.

Any arrangements pursuant to this section shall be detailed in the annual report of the Board.

L 34.

Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performaEceperformance of its duties and execution of its powers under this chapter, including but not limited to, contracts with the United States, units of general local government or combinations thereof, in Virginia or other states, and with agencies and departments of the Commonwealth;

Adopt and administer reasonable regulations for the planning and implementation of programs and activities and for the allocation, expenditure and subgranting of funds available to the Commonwealth and to units of general local government, and for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and the powers and duties set forth herein;

Establish training standards and publish and periodically update model policies for S law-enforcement personnel in the following subjects:

5 a.

The handling of family abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases, incl7dingincluding standards for determining the predominant physical aggressor in accordance with § 19.2-81.3.

ThRThe Department shall provide technical support and assistance to law-enforcement agencies in carrying out the requirements set forth in subsection A of § 9.1-1301;

The identification of, communication with, and facilitation of the safe return of individuals effectivediagnosed communication with individuals with Alzheimer's disease and dementiadementia, andwhich theirshall caregivers;ndinclude (ii)(i) techniques for addressingrespectful theand behavioraleffective symptomscommunication ofwith individuals with Alzheimer's disease and dementia,dementia includingand alternativestheir tocaregivers; physical restraint;

(ii) techniques for addressing the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, including alternatives to physical restraint;

forc. racially biased policing and bias-based profiling as defined in § 52-30.1, which shall includepotential recognizing implicit biases in interacting with persons who have a mental illness, substance use disorder, or developmental or cognitive disability;

Sensitivity to and awareness of systemic and individual racism, cultural diversity, and the potential for racially biased policing and bias-based profiling as defined in § 52-30.1, which shall include recognizing implicit biases in interacting with persons who have a mental illness, substance use disorder, or developmental or cognitive disability;

Vehicle patrol duties that embody current best practices for pursuits and for responding to emeh.emergency calls;

h.

law-enforcement38. officers to ensure (i) sensitivity to and awareness of systemic and individual racism, cultural diversity, and the potential for racially biased policing and bias-based profiling as defined in of 6 § 52-30.1, which shall include recognizing implicit biases in interacting with persons who have a mental illness, substance use disorder, or developmental or cognitive disability;

Establish compulsory training standards for basic training and the recertification of law-enforcement officers to ensure (i) sensitivity to and awareness of systemic and individual racism, cultural diversity, and the potential for racially biased policing and bias-based profiling as defined in § 52-30.1, which shall include recognizing implicit biases in interacting with persons who have a mental illness, substance use disorder, or developmental or cognitive disability;

Review and evaluate community-policing programs in the Commonwealth, and recommend where necessary statewide operating procedures, guidelines, and standards that strengthen and improve such programs, including sensitivity to and awareness of systemic and individual racism, cultural diversity, and the potential for racially biased policing and bias-based profiling as defined in § 52-30.1, which of 6 shall include recognizing implicit biases in interacting with persons who have a mental illness, substance use disorder, or developmental or cognitive disability;

The Department shall establish an advisory committee consisting of college administrators, college police chiefs, college security of 6 department chiefs, and local law-enforcement officials to assist in the development of the standards and certification requirements and training pursuant to this subdivision;