2023 -- H 5103

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LC000165

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -

COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING

     Introduced By: Representatives J Lombardi, Hull, Ajello, McGaw, Kislak, and Felix

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-28.2 of the General Laws entitled "Police Officers - Commission

on Standards and Training" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-28.2-8.4. Educational requirements -- Development disability recognition training.

     The commission on standards and training shall prepare and publish mandatory training

standards to provide instruction for police officers in identifying, responding to, handling,

investigating and reporting all incidents involving any person with a "developmental disability" as

defined in § 40.1-1-8.1. The commission shall include this training in all curricula for recruits and

in-service trainees, and in all police academies operated or certified by the commission.

     SECTION 2. Section 40.1-1-8.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-1 entitled

"Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals" is hereby

amended to read as follows:

     40.1-1-8.1. “Developmental disability” defined.

     The term “developmental disability” means a severe, chronic disability of a person that:

     (1) Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical

impairments;

     (2) Is manifested before the person attains age twenty-two (22) at any age;

     (3) Is likely to continue indefinitely;

     (4) Results in substantial functional limitations in three (3) or more of the following areas

of major life activity:

     (i) Self-care;

     (ii) Receptive and expressive language;

     (iii) Learning;

     (iv) Mobility;

     (v) Self-direction;

     (vi) Capacity for independent living; and

     (vii) Economic self-sufficiency; and

     (5) Reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary,

or generic care, treatment, or other services that are of lifelong or extended duration and are

individually planned and coordinated.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -

COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING

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     This act would require mandatory training standards for police officers and trainees, in

identifying, responding, and handling all incidents involving any person with a developmental

disability. This act would also amend the definition of development disability to include a mental

or physical impairment manifested at any age.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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