BILL ANALYSIS SB 1296 Page 1 Date of Hearing: June 30, 2010 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair SB 1296 (Correa) - As Amended: April 7, 2010 Policy Committee: Public SafetyVote:6-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill requires the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to meet with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and other entities with expertise in the area of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to assess if additional training is needed for peace officers regarding returning veterans or other persons suffering from TBI or PTSD. Specifically, this bill: 1)Provides if POST determines there is a need for training on TBI and PTSD, POST shall determine the most cost-efficient and effective format, and upon the next regularly scheduled review of a training module relating to persons with disabilities, create a training DVD for peace officer first responders to emergency situations on how to recognize and interact with returning veterans or other persons suffering from TBI or PTSD. 2)Requires POST to distribute, as necessary, an Internet training bulletin to law enforcement agencies participating in POST's program on the topic of TBI and PTSD. 3)Requires POST to report to the Legislature by June 30, 2012, on the extent to which peace officers are receiving adequate training regarding interaction with persons suffering from TBI or PTSD. FISCAL EFFECT 1)One-time special fund costs, in the range of $150,000, should POST opt to develop the DVD training module. POST indicates SB 1296 Page 2 these costs would be absorbable, as the proposed review and module are consistent with the commission's existing mission (Peace Officer Training Fund). 2)Minor absorbable special fund costs to POST for meeting with outside parties, developing and disseminating a training bulletin, and reporting to the Legislature. COMMENTS 1)Rationale. The author contends law enforcement needs additional training to deal with an increasing number of TBI and PTSD cases. According to the author, "TBI and PTSD have been identified as the 'signature injuries' and 'silent epidemics' affecting an increasing number of veterans returning from recent military conflicts. It has been estimated that 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are afflicted with PTSD. Persons with TBI are often referred to as the 'walking wounded.' Their injuries, mostly unnoticeable at first sight, pose certain challenges to those who come in contact with them. TBI and PTSD symptoms can sometimes include behaviors of anger, hostility, and aggression. "SB 1296 will provide the necessary tools for peace officers who are first responders to emergency situations to recognize and interact with returning veterans or other persons suffering from TBI and PTSD." 2)Current law requires POST to establish and update a continuing education training course regarding law enforcement interaction with mentally disabled persons. The course shall be developed by POST in consultation with appropriate organizations and agencies with expertise in the area of mental illness and developmental disability. 3)Prior Legislation . SB 1531 (Correa), Statutes of 2008, requires POST to distribute electronically a course on how to recognize and interact with persons with autistic spectrum disorders. Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081 SB 1296 Page 3