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