BILL NUMBER: SB 1531 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 621 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 PASSED THE SENATE MAY 27, 2008 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY JULY 15, 2008 AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 20, 2008 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 2, 2008 INTRODUCED BY Senators Correa, Alquist, and Steinberg FEBRUARY 22, 2008 An act to add Section 13515.35 to the Penal Code, relating to peace officers. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1531, Correa. Peace officer training: autistic persons. Existing law provides that the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training establish and keep updated various training programs to maintain the level of competence of various law enforcement officers. This bill would, upon the next regularly scheduled review of a training module relating to persons with disabilities, require the commission to create and make available on DVD and authorize the commission to distribute electronically a course on how to recognize and interact with persons with autistic spectrum disorders. This course shall be designed for, and made available to, peace officers who are first responders. This bill would specify that the commission shall develop the course in consultation with designated entities, and distribute, as necessary, a training bulletin via the Internet to specified law enforcement agencies. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 13515.35 is added to the Penal Code, to read: 13515.35. (a) The commission shall, upon the next regularly scheduled review of a training module relating to persons with disabilities, create and make available on DVD and may distribute electronically a course on how to recognize and interact with persons with autistic spectrum disorders. This course shall be designed for, and made available to, peace officers who are first responders to emergency situations. (b) The training course shall be developed by the commission in consultation with the Department of Developmental Services and appropriate community, local, or other state organizations and agencies that have expertise in the area of autism spectrum disorders. The commission shall make the course available to law enforcement agencies in California. (c) In addition to the duties contained in subdivisions (a) and (b), the commission shall distribute, as necessary, a training bulletin via the Internet to law enforcement agencies participating in the commission's program on the topic of autism spectrum disorders.