Plain English Breakdown
The effective date of this law is not provided in the source material.
Law Enforcement Must Help People Get Medical Care
This law makes it unlawful for police officers to stop people under their control from getting medical help if a doctor is ready and able to provide care, provided the situation is safe.
What This Bill Does
- Makes it unlawful for an officer to deny, delay, obstruct, or fail to facilitate access to medical evaluation or treatment if it is safe and reasonable.
- Requires written documentation within 72 hours explaining why officers denied or delayed care when a willing medical professional was present.
- Allows administrative discipline, such as suspension or firing, against officers who break these rules.
- Updates training courses for the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to include guidance on this new rule.
Who It Names or Affects
- Law enforcement officers
- Individuals under law enforcement control but not in county jail or state prison
- The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
Terms To Know
- Facilitate access
- To help make it possible for someone to receive medical evaluation or treatment.
- Law enforcement control
- When a person is being supervised by police but has not been placed in a county jail or state prison.
Limits and Unknowns
- The rule only applies if providing medical care is safe and reasonable for the situation.
- A medical professional must be present, requested, and willing to help before officers are required to allow access.
- Reimbursement rules for local agencies depend on a future decision by the Commission on State Mandates.