SB1543 EngrossedLRB103 26944 AWJ 53309 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Police Training Act is amended by
5adding Section 3.2 as follows:
 
6    (50 ILCS 705/3.2 new)
7    Sec. 3.2. Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator.
8    (a) There is created under the authority of the Illinois
9Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD
10Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and
11with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4
12years. The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall
13receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for
14reappointment. The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator
15shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental
16health support and education for law enforcement officers.
17    (b) The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall:
18        (1) be an active duty law enforcement officer with an
19    established career in different aspects of law
20    enforcement, including, but not limited to, having
21    experience as both a patrol officer and detective or in
22    both urban and rural settings;
23        (2) have a history of developing and disseminating

 

 

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1    evidence-based training in mental health and resilience
2    and with a strong working knowledge of the legislative
3    process at the State and local level; and
4        (3) have an established history of working with police
5    administrations and police unions.
6    (c) The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall:
7        (1) cooperate with statewide police academies to
8    introduce police recruits to mental health issues they
9    could face throughout their career in law enforcement;
10        (2) assist in establishing mental health training for
11    law enforcement, including resilience training,
12    trauma-based training, interdepartmental and
13    intradepartmental training, and training for law
14    enforcement families;
15        (3) select medical professionals statewide to
16    establish a reference list that can be utilized by police
17    departments who seek out professionals who offer
18    evidence-based treatment for trauma and have strong
19    working knowledge of the challenges faced by law
20    enforcement;
21        (4) cooperate with police agencies to establish peer
22    support programs;
23        (5) cooperate with private limited liability companies
24    who train in mental health and wellness to ensure that the
25    company programs are scientifically sound and factual;
26        (6) utilize the State university system to establish

 

 

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1    training and produce research documentation of training
2    effectiveness; and
3        (7) set standards for continuing education in mental
4    health with an emphasis on meeting the developmental
5    training needs for officers at various stages of their
6    career.
7    (d) The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall
8report to the Board on the development and implementation of
9programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall
10advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on
11direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that
12vary in size, location, and demographics.