House Bill 637

AN ACT TO CREATE "THE MISSISSIPPI LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERACTION COURSE ACT"; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE MISSISSIPPI SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION, THE MISSISSIPPI POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION COMMISSION TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT ESTABLISHES EACH AGENCY'S RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES IN DEVELOPING INSTRUCTION, INCLUDING CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL MODULES, ON PROPER INTERACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DURING TRAFFIC STOPS AND OTHER IN-PERSON ENCOUNTERS; TO REQUIRE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR CHARTER SCHOOLS PROVIDE INSTRUCTION IN ONE OR MORE COURSES TO STUDENTS IN GRADE 9 THROUGH GRADE 12 ON PROPER INTERACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DURING TRAFFIC STOPS AND OTHER IN-PERSON ENCOUNTERS, AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE GRADUATION; TO PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM COMPONENTS OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION REQUIRED FOR THE COURSE; TO PERMIT SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR CHARTER SCHOOLS TO TAILOR THE INSTRUCTION DEVELOPED UNDER THIS SECTION AS APPROPRIATE FOR THE DISTRICT'S OR CHARTER SCHOOL'S COMMUNITY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURSE SHALL BE OFFERED TO STUDENTS IN GRADE 9 BEGINNING WITH THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Mississippi Law Enforcement Interaction Course Act."

SECTION 2. (1) As used in this act, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section, unless context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Associations" means the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association and the Mississippi Police Benevolent Association.

(b) "Board" means the State Board of Education.

(d) "Department" means the State Department of Education.

(2) The board, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Sheriffs' Association, Mississippi Police Benevolent Association and the commission shall enter into a memorandum of understanding that establishes each agency's and associations' respective responsibilities in developing instruction, including curriculum and instructional modules, on proper interaction with law enforcement officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. The instruction must include information regarding:

(a) The role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement officers;

(b) A person's rights concerning interactions with law enforcement officers;

(d) Laws regarding questioning and detention by law enforcement officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of identity to a law enforcement officer, and the consequences for a person's or officer's failure to comply with those laws; and

(e) How and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a law enforcement officer.

(3) In developing the instruction under this section, the board, Department of Public Safety, associations, the commission and the department may consult with any interested party, including a volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the instruction.

(4) Before finalizing any instruction under this section, the board, the Department of Public Safety, the associations and the commission shall provide a reasonable period for public comment.

(5) Subject to rules adopted by the board, a school district or charter school may tailor the instruction developed under this section as appropriate for the district's or charter school's community. In tailoring the instruction, the district or charter school shall solicit input from local law enforcement agencies and the community.

SECTION 3. (1) A school district or charter school shall provide instruction in one or more courses to students in Grade 9 through Grade 12 on proper interaction with law enforcement officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. The required instruction:

(a) May be provided as a part of any course or courses;

(b) Must be provided to each student at least once before graduation from high school; and

(c) May be taught by a representative of the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association, the Mississippi Police Benevolent Association, the Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, or a local law enforcement officer or school resource officer who has successfully completed the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy or other state recognized training program.

(2) The instruction must include all of the following information:

(a) The role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement officers;

(b) A person's rights concerning interactions with law enforcement officers;

(e) How and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a law enforcement officer.

(3) A school district or charter school shall use materials developed through a memorandum of understanding among the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association, the Mississippi Police Benevolent Association, Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education.

(4) A school district or charter school may tailor the instruction developed under this section as appropriate for the district's or charter school's community. In tailoring the instruction, the district or charter school shall solicit input from local law enforcement agencies and the community.

(5) This section applies to any student who enters Grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and thereafter.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.