A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 23-23-45 so as to PROVIDE THAT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MUST UNDERGO A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION THAT MUST INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF IMPLICIT BIAS BEFORE THEY CAN BECOME CERTIFIED AND PERIODICALLY AFTER THEY BECOME CERTIFIED AND TO PROVIDE THE EVALUATION MUST BE CONDUCTED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING COUNCIL.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Chapter 23, Title 23 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 23-23-45.   (A) As a condition to becoming a certified law enforcement officer after the effective date of this section, a person must undergo a mental health evaluation that must include an assessment of implicit bias. He must undergo this mental health evaluation every three years after becoming certified.

   (B) As a condition to be recertified as a law enforcement officer after the effective date of this section, an officer must undergo a mental health evaluation that must include an assessment of implicit bias. He must undergo this mental health evaluation every three years after each evaluation.

   (C) The evaluation must be conducted under the direction of the Law Enforcement Training Council.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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