SENATE BILL NO. 1125

September 22, 2020, Introduced by Senator LUCIDO and referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

"Local corrections officers training act,"

by amending section 8 (MCL 791.538).

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 8. (1) Not later than October 1, 2004 and as often as necessary after that, the The council shall approve minimum standards and requirements for local corrections officers with respect to the following:

(a) Recruitment, selection, and certification of new local corrections officers based upon at least, but not limited to, work experience, educational achievement, and physical and mental fitness.

(b) New employee and continuing training programs.

(d) Course content of the vocational certificate program, the central training academy, and continuing training programs. The No later than 1 year after the effective date of the amendatory act that amended this subdivision, the course content shall must include education and training on how to identify and manage prisoners with a mental illness.crisis response and behavioral health training that strengthens the ability of a local corrections officer to identify mental health or substance use needs in individuals, safely address crisis situations, and understand diversion options. The crisis response and behavioral health training under this subdivision must meet all of the following requirements:

(i) Be evidence based and align with the large body of national research on de-escalation and responding to individuals with behavioral health needs.

(ii) Provide the following information:

(A) The reasons individuals with behavioral health needs should be diverted from criminal justice involvement.

(B) How to recognize individuals with behavioral health needs.

(D) The best methods and available options to divert individuals with behavioral health needs from sustained criminal justice involvement.

(E) The best methods to connect individuals with behavioral health needs with local supportive services.

(e) Decertification process.

(2) In approving the course content for crisis response and behavioral health training under subsection (1)(d), the council shall consult with the Michigan commission on law enforcement standards and the mental health diversion council.

(3) As used in this section, "behavioral health" means mental health and substance use disorders and the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.