House Bill 1072

AN ACT TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO PROVIDE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO REASONABLY APPEARS TO EXHIBIT BEHAVIORAL OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION WITHIN 24 HOURS; TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO TAKE THE INDIVIDUAL TO A MEDICAL FACILITY FOR TREATMENT; TO REQUIRE AT LEAST TWO EMPLOYEES OF EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND JAIL OR PRISON TO RECEIVE ANNUAL CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TRAINING; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS TO PROMULGATE RULES RELATING TO CIT TRAINING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Whenever a law enforcement officer arrests an individual on a misdemeanor charge, and the individual reasonably appears to exhibit behavioral or mental health issues, the law enforcement agency shall provide such individual with a mental health evaluation within twenty-four (24) hours of arrest. If the mental health evaluation reveals a need for behavioral or mental health medication, such law enforcement agency shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the individual has access to such medication, and shall take the individual to a medical facility for treatment.

(2) In order to facilitate the mental health evaluation and treatment required by subsection (1) of this section, every law enforcement agency including every city, county and regional jail or prison shall employ at least two (2) persons who have received Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. Such employees shall receive at least eight (8) hours of CIT training annually.

(3) The Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish minimum standards for CIT training, including the approval of schools or programs which may be attended by an officer charged with receiving CIT training.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.