Senate Bill No. 128, also known as "Shantel Arnold's Law," mandates that the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T. council) establish a policy by January 1, 2026, for mandatory reporting when law enforcement officers use physical force against members of the public, regardless of whether an arrest occurs. The bill outlines that the policy must specify when a use of force report is required, who is responsible for completing the report, and the penalties for failing to do so. It applies to all law enforcement agencies in Louisiana and allows agencies to implement stricter policies if desired. Additionally, all reports generated under this policy will be classified as public records, subject to the Public Records Law.

The bill underwent several amendments during the legislative process. Notably, it removed the requirement for a report when force does not result in injury and clarified that the use of force includes the use of a weapon. The amendments also specified that the report must be completed by the officer involved or their immediate supervisor, while certain provisions regarding the timing and responsibility for the report were removed. The effective date for the bill is set for August 1, 2025.