Substitute House Bill No. 5428 seeks to amend the powers and duties of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding investigations into the use of physical force by peace officers. Key changes include the insertion of the term "physical" before "force" to clarify that electronic defense weapons are not considered deadly physical force. The bill mandates investigations into any deaths occurring within the physical custody of a peace officer or law enforcement agency, determining the use and justification of physical force. It also establishes a structured process for these investigations, requiring a preliminary status report within five business days of a death and a comprehensive report to the Chief State's Attorney upon conclusion, which includes recommendations for law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, the bill enhances the Inspector General's authority by allowing the issuance of subpoenas for investigative depositions and clarifying responsibilities to include deaths in the custody of the Department of Correction (DOC). It modifies reporting requirements to direct recommendations for future actions to the involved law enforcement agency rather than the OIG. The bill repeals and replaces existing statutes to ensure accountability in cases of police use of force and treatment of individuals in custody, with no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities. The effective date of the bill is upon passage.