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.