Tennessee Senate Bill SB0740

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8 and Title 38, relative to law enforcement.

Impact

If enacted, SB0740 would formalize the process by which curriculum requirements are developed and subsequently modified by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. The bill mandates that any proposed changes to the curriculum must be submitted to the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee at least sixty days prior to implementation. This requirement could potentially enhance accountability within law enforcement training by allowing legislators to review significant changes to the curriculum before they are adopted.

Summary

Senate Bill 740, sponsored by Senator Kyle, aims to amend Title 8 and Title 38 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, which pertains to law enforcement. The primary focus of this bill is the requirement for the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to submit its curriculum requirements to the relevant legislative committees. This action is aimed at ensuring transparency and legislative oversight in the training processes undertaken by peace officers in the state. By establishing a deadline for submission, SB0740 seeks to create a structured timeline for the review and updating of training requirements for law enforcement officials.

Contention

There may be potential points of contention surrounding SB0740, notably the implications of increased regulatory oversight on the training of peace officers. While proponents of the bill may argue for the importance of legislative involvement in law enforcement training to ensure high standards, critics might raise concerns regarding the flexibility and responsiveness of the training programs. The balance between legislative oversight and the operational autonomy of law enforcement agencies could spark debate among legislators, law enforcement officials, and community advocates.