LAW ENF. OFFICERS' EMPLOYMENT HISTORY                                             S.B. 223 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 223 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Rick Jones

Committee:  Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would enact the "Law Enforcement Officer Separation of Service Record Act" to do the following:

-- Require a law enforcement agency to maintain a record of the reasons for, and circumstances surrounding, a law enforcement officer's separation of service with the agency.

-- Require an agency to allow a separating officer to review the separation of service record, upon his or her request, and to submit a written statement explaining the officer's disagreement with the record.

-- Require a law enforcement officer to sign a waiver allowing a prospective employing agency to contact his or her former employing agency or agencies and seek a copy of the officer's separation of service record.

-- Require a waiver to be executed on a form provided by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) to all law enforcement agencies in Michigan that employ licensed officers.

-- Require a former employing agency to give a copy of an officer's separation of service record to the prospective employing agency, upon receiving a waiver.

-- Prohibit a prospective employing agency from hiring an officer unless the agency received the record from his or her former employing agency or agencies.

-- Provide that a former employing agency disclosing information in good faith after receiving a waiver would be immune from civil liability for the disclosure; and establish a presumption of good faith.

                                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a nominal fiscal impact on State and local law enforcement agencies. Local agencies already maintain and share officer employment records and commonly engage in information disclosure agreements with prospective employees. Currently, MCOLES provides "best practices" advice for agencies in hiring matters. Under the bill, the Commission would provide the required waiver forms, using existing resources.

Date Completed:  3-15-17                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Bruce Baker

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.