Senate Bill 2014

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-6-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL TRAINING STANDARDS WITHIN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ASSIGNED TO FIELD OR INVESTIGATIVE DUTIES; TO REQUIRE THE TRAINING BE RELATED TO CRIMES COMMITTED BY REASON OF THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, ANCESTRY, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR GENDER OF THE VICTIM; TO REQUIRE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO REPORT SUCH CRIMES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-6-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-6-7. In addition to the powers conferred upon the board elsewhere in this chapter, the board shall have power to:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this chapter, including the authority to require the submission of reports and information by law enforcement agencies of the state and its political subdivisions.

(b) Establish minimum educational and training standards for admission to employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer or a part-time law enforcement officer: (i) in a permanent position; and (ii) in a probationary status. The minimum educational and training standards for any law enforcement officer assigned to field or investigative duties shall include at least two (2) hours of training related to handling complaints of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children as defined in Section 43-21-105, communicating with such victims * * *, and requiring the officer to contact the Department of Child Protection Services when human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation is suspected. The minimum educational training standards for any law enforcement officer assigned to field or investigative duties shall include at least two (2) hours of training related to handling, investigating, and reporting complaints of crimes committed by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of the victim and requiring the officer to contact the Department of Public Safety when such a crime is suspected.

(c) Certify persons as being qualified under the provisions of this chapter to be law enforcement officers or part-time law enforcement officers.

(d) Revoke certification for cause and in the manner provided in this chapter. The board is authorized to subpoena documents regarding revocations. The board shall maintain a current list of all persons certified under this chapter who have been placed on probation, suspended, subjected to revocation of certification * * *, or any combination of these.

(e) Establish minimum curriculum requirements for basic and advanced courses and programs for schools operated by or for the state or any political subdivision thereof for the specific purpose of training police and other law enforcement officers, both full- and part-time, which shall include a minimum of two (2) hours of training in a course or courses related to the identification of and support for victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

(f) Consult and cooperate with counties, municipalities, state agencies, other governmental agencies, and with universities, colleges, community and junior colleges and other institutions concerning the development of training schools, programs or courses of instruction for personnel defined in this chapter.

(g) Make recommendations concerning any matter within its purview pursuant to this chapter.

(h) Make such inspection and evaluation as may be necessary to determine if governmental units are complying with the provisions of this chapter.

(i) Approve law enforcement officer training schools for operation by or for the state or any political subdivision thereof for the specific purpose of training personnel defined in this chapter.

(j) Upon the request of agencies employing personnel defined in this chapter, conduct surveys or aid municipalities and counties to conduct surveys through qualified public or private agencies and assist in the implementation of any recommendations resulting from such surveys.

(k) Upon request of agencies within the purview of this chapter, conduct general and specific management surveys and studies of the operations of the requesting agencies at no cost to those agencies. The role of the board under this subsection shall be that of management consultant.

(l) Adopt and amend regulations consistent with law, for its internal management and control of board programs.

(m) Enter into contracts or do such things as may be necessary and incidental to the administration of this chapter.

(n) Establish jointly with the State Board of Education the minimum level of basic law enforcement training required of persons employed by school districts as school security guards, or school resource officers or in other positions that have the powers of a peace officer.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.