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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 120 (File 275, as amended by Senate "A")*
AN ACT ALLOWING POLICE OFFICERS TO WEAR RELIGIOUS
HEAD COVERINGS AS PART OF A POLICE UNIFORM.
SUMMARY
This bill requires each law enforcement unit, by October 1, 2021, to
adopt or amend a policy to allow their police officers to wear religious
head coverings that correspond to their religious beliefs while on duty
and wearing a uniform or other authorized attire, except where the
units require their officers to use tight-fitting protective headgear.
Additionally, the bill requires the Police Officer Standards and
Training Council (POST) to develop, by January 1, 2022, a model
policy on the use of social media by law enforcement units and police
officers while they are on duty. The policy must include at least the
following:
1. guidelines on using a unit’s social media account,
2. the responsibilities of any unit employee who manages and
approves content to post on a unit’s account,
3. procedures for when the unauthorized use of a unit’s account is
detected,
4. guidelines to ensure compliance with applicable state or federal
law,
5. guidelines on what is and is not suitable for posting on a unit’s
account,
6. methods to limit indecent or obscene content on a unit’s
account, and
7. the personal use of social media by a police officer while on 2021SB-00120-R01-BA.DOCX
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duty.
By July 1, 2022, the bill requires each law enforcement unit to adopt
and maintain a written policy that meets or exceeds the model policy’s
standards.
*Senate Amendment “A” (1) removes the requirement that units
adopt or amend a policy to establish general standards for the personal
appearance of their officers while they are on duty and wearing a
uniform or other authorized attire and (2) requires POST to develop a
model social media policy for units and on-duty police officers.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
DEFINITIONS
By law and under the bill, a “law enforcement unit” is any state or
municipal agency or department (or tribal agency or department
created and governed under a memorandum of agreement) whose
primary functions include enforcing criminal or traffic laws;
preserving public order; protecting life and property; or preventing,
detecting, or investigating crime (CGS § 7-294a).
“Police officers” are sworn members of an organized local police
department or the State Police; appointed constables who perform
criminal law enforcement duties; special police officers appointed
under law (e.g., those appointed to investigate public assistance fraud);
or any members of a law enforcement unit who perform police duties
(CGS § 7-294a).
“Social media” is an electronic medium where users may create and
view user-generated content, such as uploaded or downloaded videos
or photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts, or instant messages (CGS
§ 9-601).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 23 Nay 2 (03/18/2021) 2021SB-00120-R01-BA.DOCX
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