Researcher: DC Page 1 4/18/23
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6873
AN ACT REQUIRING THE POLICE OFFICER STANDARDS AND
TRAINING COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND PROMULGATE A MODEL
POLICY REQUIRING THE USE OF A SEAT SAFETY BELT FOR ANY
PERSON WHO IS BEING TRANSPORTED IN A MUNICIPAL POLICE
VEHICLE.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Police Officer Standards and Training Council
(POST), by December 31, 2023, to develop and promulgate a model
policy that provides guidelines on required seat belt use in municipal
police vehicles and standardized procedures for municipal police
officers to ensure that anyone being transported in their vehicles is
secured by a seat belt.
Under the bill, starting January 1, 2024, if a municipal law
enforcement unit’s chief law enforcement officer finds, through existing
POST-developed procedures, that a municipal police officer’s actions
constitute a violation of the policy the bill establishes and the violation
undermines public confidence in the municipal law enforcement unit,
the chief law enforcement officer must report the violation to POST,
which must then do a de novo review (a new, independent review) of
the matter.
Whenever POST believes there is a reasonable basis for suspending,
canceling, or revoking a municipal officer’s certification because of the
reported violation, the council must give the officer notice and an
adequate opportunity for a hearing before he or she is disciplined. The
hearing must be done following the Uniform Administrative Procedure
Act. If POST finds by clear and convincing evidence that a violation of
the bill has occurred, it may suspend, revoke, or cancel the officer’s
certificate. 2023HB-06873-R000652-BA.DOCX
Researcher: DC Page 2 4/18/23
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2023
COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 37 Nay 0 (03/31/2023)