2026 -- S 2952 | |
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LC005843 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -- | |
COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING -- YOUTH TRAUMA-INFORMED | |
POLICING | |
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Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Vargas, Mack, Zurier, Murray, Valverde, Euer, | |
Date Introduced: March 04, 2026 | |
Referred To: Senate Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 42-28.2 of the General Laws entitled "Police Officers — |
2 | Commission on Standards and Training" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following |
3 | section: |
4 | 42-28.2-8.6. Training in handling interactions with traumatized youth—Educational |
5 | requirements. |
6 | (a) The commission on standards and training shall prepare and publish mandatory training |
7 | standards to provide instructions for police detectives and police officers in handling interactions |
8 | with traumatized youth and shall develop guidelines for law enforcement responses to incidents |
9 | involving such persons. Instructions and guidelines shall include: |
10 | (1) Identifying and recognizing the signs and symptoms of youth suffering trauma as a |
11 | result of witnessing or resulting from an incident involving an intervention by law enforcement |
12 | officers; and |
13 | (2) Providing information to law enforcement officers on de-escalating crisis situations |
14 | involving traumatized youth and initiating timely referrals to resources available in the community. |
15 | (b) The commission shall include training in all curricula for recruits and in-service trainees |
16 | in all police academics operating or certified by the commission. |
17 | (c) All law enforcements trainees shall participate in the course of basic training for law |
18 | enforcement officers, established in this section, as part of their required certification process. |
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1 | (d) Training presenters shall include intellectual/developmental, behavioral and |
2 | therapeutical practitioners with expertise in the delivery of direct services to traumatized youths |
3 | suffering from incidents requiring a response from law enforcement officers. |
4 | (e) The course of instruction, the learning and performance objectives, the standards for |
5 | training, and the guidelines shall be developed from existing sources for youth trauma-informed |
6 | policing from an evidence-based resource, including training on adverse childhood experiences, |
7 | trauma triggers and de-escalation strategies in community-based settings. |
8 | (f) Training presentations may utilize the staff of community-based providers of services |
9 | and supports for youth suffering from trauma related incidents as well as videos or webinars |
10 | developed by other federal, state or municipal law enforcements agencies. |
11 | SECTION 2. 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 -- YOUTH TRAUMA-INFORMED | |
POLICING | |
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1 | This act would require the police officers' commission on standards and training to provide |
2 | training and instructions for police detectives, police officers and trainees in order to more |
3 | accurately identify complaints involving traumatized youth and to develop law enforcement |
4 | responses in dealing with youth suffering from trauma relating to an incident necessitating a |
5 | response by law enforcement officers. |
6 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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