Bill Summary for H 436 (2021-2022)

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Summary date: 

Aug 18 2021

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2021
House Bill 436 (Public) Filed Monday, March 29, 2021
AN ACT TO REQUIRE PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PRIOR TO CERTIFICATION OR EMPLOYMENT; TO EDUCATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON MAINTAINING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH, AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE; AND TO CREATE A PHYSICAL FITNESS STUDY.
Intro. by K. Baker, Szoka, Hunter.

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Bill summary

Senate committee substitute amends the 2nd edition as follows. 

Makes organizational changes to the act and makes conforming changes to the act's provisions to reflect those organizational changes.

Revises the proposed changes to GS 17C-10, concerning the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and criminal justice officers, and GS 17E-7, concerning the NC Sheriff's Education and Training Standards Commission and justice officers, to require both Commissions to include the administration of a psychological screening exam prior to initial certification or the performance of any action requiring certification (was, prior to certification or employment) to determine the officer's mental and emotional suitability to properly fulfill the responsibilities of a criminal justice or justice officer, respectively. Now requires the administration of a psychological screening exam to include a face-to-face, in-person interview (was, in-person interview) conducted by a licensed phycologist (was, a licensed clinical psychologist). Adds a new provision to each statute to allow the face-to-face evaluation to be virtual so long as both the audio and video allow for a professional clinical evaluation in a clinical environment when face-to-face, in-person is not practicable. 

Changes the effective date of the statutory changes set forth in the act. Makes the proposed changes to GS Chapters 17C and 17E effective January 1, 2022 (was, effective on the date the act becomes law). 

Modifies the provisions encouraging the Commissions to adopt standards that provide training conducted by mental health professionals to specify that the act encourages face-to-face instruction (was, in-person instruction). 

Adds a new directive requiring the Commissions to jointly study the benefits, if any, of requiring physical fitness testing throughout the career of a law enforcement officer and whether that testing, if required, should be incrementally adjusted based upon the age of the officer. Directs the Commissions to report to the specified NCGA committee by March 31, 2022.

Changes the act's long title.