SB1543 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 26944 AWJ 53309 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1543

Introduced 2/8/2023, by Sen. Bill Cunningham

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

50 ILCS 705/3.2 new

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates under the authority of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4 years. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for reappointment. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental health support and education for law enforcement officers. Establishes qualifications for the Coordinator. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall report to the Board on the development and implementation of programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that vary in size, location, and demographics.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Police Training Act is amended by adding Section 3.2 as follows:

(50 ILCS 705/3.2 new)

Sec. 3.2. Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator.

(a) There is created under the authority of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4 years. The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for reappointment. The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental health support and education for law enforcement officers.

(b) The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall:

(1) be an active duty law enforcement officer with an established career in different aspects of law enforcement, including, but not limited to, having experience as both a patrol officer and detective or in both urban and rural settings;

(2) have a history of developing and disseminating evidence-based training in mental health and resilience and with a strong working knowledge of the legislative process at the State and local level; and

(3) have an established history of working with police administrations and police unions.

(c) The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall:

(1) cooperate with statewide police academies to introduce police recruits to mental health issues they could face throughout their career in law enforcement;

(2) assist in establishing mental health training for law enforcement, including resilience training, trauma-based training, interdepartmental and intradepartmental training, and training for law enforcement families;

(3) select medical professionals statewide to establish a reference list that can be utilized by police departments who seek out professionals who offer evidence-based treatment for trauma and have strong working knowledge of the challenges faced by law enforcement;

(4) cooperate with police agencies to establish peer support programs;

(5) cooperate with private limited liability companies who train in mental health and wellness to ensure that the company programs are scientifically sound and factual;

(6) utilize the State university system to establish training and produce research documentation of training effectiveness; and

(7) set standards for continuing education in mental health with an emphasis on meeting the developmental training needs for officers at various stages of their career.

(d) The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall report to the Board on the development and implementation of programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that vary in size, location, and demographics.