Senate Bill 2415

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-6-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE DEMENTIA-RECOGNITION TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-6-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-6-23. The Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training shall promulgate regulations to require education and training components on mental health and behavioral issues to consist of not less than six (6) hours in the initial law enforcement officer certification program and not less than one (1) hour in any required continuing education program for law enforcement officers. The behavioral component will train officers to recognize behavioral characteristics that distinguish conditions such as autism, Asperger's syndrome, or any other mental or medical condition that may present with atypical developmental symptoms, and dementia, which could be perceived by an untrained person as suspicious and which could impede effective communication with a law enforcement officer.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.