This bill proposes a comprehensive restructuring of the Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council by transferring its jurisdiction from the Department of Justice to the Department of Labor and Industry. It establishes a new board consisting of 13 members from various law enforcement and public safety sectors, tasked with setting certification and training fees, which will be funded by the state for state employees and local government employees. The bill also standardizes the council's duties and processes, aligning them with other professional boards, and exempts the council from certain processes outlined in Title 37 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). Additionally, it creates a special revenue fund to support the council's activities and allows for the acceptance of grants and donations.

Furthermore, the bill amends several sections of the MCA to update qualifications and training requirements for public safety roles, including county coroners and peace officers. It introduces new requirements for public safety communications officers and establishes continuing education mandates for coroners and communications officers. The bill also emphasizes the prohibition of racial profiling by peace officers and mandates training to address this issue. Significant deletions from current law include the removal of penalties for revoked or suspended peace officer certifications, while new language clarifies that certain provisions do not apply to certification determinations made under this section. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and training standards of public safety personnel in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-11-222, 7-4-2904, 7-4-2905, 7-31-201, 7-31-202, 7-31-203, 7-32-201, 7-32-213, 7-32-303, 7-32-4112, 19-7-101, 20-7-1335, 27-16-801, 41-5-1808, 44-2-117, 44-4-902, 44-10-204, 44-14-101, 46-6-507, 46-18-111, 46-23-1003, 61-3-224