First Responder Interactions Persons With Disabilities

The act establishes the commission on improving first responder interactions with persons with disabilities (commission) in the attorney general's office. The commission is comprised of 12 members appointed by the attorney general, including 2 persons with a disability, 2 parents of a child with a disability, 2 representatives from advocacy organizations, a person from a disability community not otherwise represented on the commission, a representative of a statewide organization of current and former peace officers, a representative of a statewide organization of chiefs of police, a representative of a statewide organization of county sheriffs, a member of the peace officer standards and training board (P.O.S.T. board), and a member of the P.O.S.T. board's curriculum subject matter expert committee.

After reviewing the existing Colorado peace officer training and existing available curricula, the commission must recommend to the P.O.S.T. board a curriculum for peace officer training concerning interactions with persons with disabilities. Subject to available appropriations, the P.O.S.T. board must implement the recommended curriculum by July 1, 2022. The commission is required to review implementation of the curriculum and may recommend changes that the P.O.S.T. board may adopt.

The commission is repealed on December 31, 2023, but prior to its repeal the attorney general may recommend continuation of the commission.

The act requires the fire service training and certification advisory board to advise the director of the division of fire prevention and control on whether to include the commission's curriculum or similar curriculum in the fire service education and training program. The department of public health and environment is required to consider including the commission's curriculum in training for personnel who routinely respond to emergencies.

The act makes an appropriation of $39,775 to the department of law for use by the P.O.S.T. board.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)