AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -- COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING -- YOUTH TRAUMA-INFORMED POLICING (Requires police commission on standards/training to provide training/instructions for police detectives/officers/trainees to deal with traumatized youth resulting from incidents requiring a law enforcement response.)

S2952

2026 -- S 2952
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LC005843
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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 -- YOUTH TRAUMA-INFORMED
POLICING

Introduced By:
Senators DiMario, Vargas, Mack, Zurier, Murray, Valverde, Euer,
Kallman, Acosta, and Pearson

Date Introduced:
March 04, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
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. Training in handling interactions with traumatized youth—Educational
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requirements.

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(a) The commission on standards and training shall prepare and publish mandatory training
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standards to provide instructions for police detectives and police officers in handling interactions
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with traumatized youth and shall develop guidelines for law enforcement responses to incidents
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involving such persons. Instructions and guidelines shall include:
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(1) Identifying and recognizing the signs and symptoms of youth suffering trauma as a
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result of witnessing or resulting from an incident involving an intervention by law enforcement
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officers; and
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(2) Providing information to law enforcement officers on de-escalating crisis situations
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involving traumatized youth and initiating timely referrals to resources available in the community.
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(b) The commission shall include training in all curricula for recruits and in-service trainees
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in all police academics operating or certified by the commission.
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(c) All law enforcements trainees shall participate in the course of basic training for law
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enforcement officers, established in this section, as part of their required certification process.

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(d) Training presenters shall include intellectual/developmental, behavioral and
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therapeutical practitioners with expertise in the delivery of direct services to traumatized youths
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suffering from incidents requiring a response from law enforcement officers.
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(e) The course of instruction, the learning and performance objectives, the standards for
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training, and the guidelines shall be developed from existing sources for youth trauma-informed
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policing from an evidence-based resource, including training on adverse childhood experiences,
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trauma triggers and de-escalation strategies in community-based settings.
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(f) Training presentations may utilize the staff of community-based providers of services
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and supports for youth suffering from trauma related incidents as well as videos or webinars
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developed by other federal, state or municipal law enforcements agencies.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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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 -- YOUTH TRAUMA-INFORMED
POLICING
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This act would require the police officers' commission on standards and training to provide
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training and instructions for police detectives, police officers and trainees in order to more
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accurately identify complaints involving traumatized youth and to develop law enforcement
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responses in dealing with youth suffering from trauma relating to an incident necessitating a
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response by law enforcement officers.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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