AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS - COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING (Requires mandatory training standards for police officers and trainees, in identifying, responding, and handling all incidents involving any person with a developmental disability.)

H7193

2026 -- H 7193
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LC003765
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -
COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING

Introduced By:
Representatives J. Lombardi, Hull, Ajello, Potter, Cruz, and Stewart

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 42-28.2 of the General Laws entitled "Police Officers —
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Commission on Standards and Training" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following
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section:
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42-28.2-8.6. Educational requirements -- Development disability recognition training.

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The commission on standards and training shall prepare and publish mandatory training
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standards to provide instruction for police officers in identifying, responding to, handling,
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investigating and reporting all incidents involving any person with a "developmental disability" as
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defined in § 40.1-1-8.1. The commission shall include this training in all curricula for recruits and
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in-service trainees, and in all police academies operated or certified by the commission.
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SECTION 2. Section 40.1-1-8.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 40.1-1 entitled
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"Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals" is hereby
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amended to read as follows:
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40.1-1-8.1. “Developmental disability” defined.
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The term “developmental disability” means a severe, chronic disability of a person that:
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(1) Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical
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impairments;
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(2) Is manifested
before the person attains age twenty-two (22)

at any age
;
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(3) Is likely to continue indefinitely;

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(4) Results in substantial functional limitations in three (3) or more of the following areas
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of major life activity:
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(i) Self-care;
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(ii) Receptive and expressive language;
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(iii) Learning;
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(iv) Mobility;
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(v) Self-direction;
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(vi) Capacity for independent living; and
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(vii) Economic self-sufficiency; and
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(5) Reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary,
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or generic care, treatment, or other services that are of lifelong or extended duration and are
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individually planned and coordinated.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003765
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -
COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING
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This act would require mandatory training standards for police officers and trainees, in
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identifying, responding, and handling all incidents involving any person with a developmental
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disability. This act would also amend the definition of development disability to include a mental
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or physical impairment manifested at any age.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003765
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