Bill Text: MS HB342 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Law enforcement officers; require to provide mental health evaluation within 24 hours of arrest and establish training standards.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2018-01-30 - Died In Committee [HB342 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2018-HB342-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Blackmon
House Bill 342
AN ACT TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO PROVIDE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO REASONABLY APPEARS TO EXHIBIT BEHAVIORAL OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S ARREST; 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 (CIT) TRAINING; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING 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 who reasonably appears to exhibit behavioral or mental health issues, the law enforcement agency must provide the 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, the law enforcement agency must take the necessary steps to ensure that the individual has access to the medication and must take the individual to a medical facility for appropriate 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, must employ at least two (2) persons who have received Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. Such employees shall receive at least eight (8) hours CIT training annually.
(3) The Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish minimum standards for CIT training, including the approval of schools or programs that 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.
