Correctional officers.

Existing law establishes the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and requires the CPOST to develop, approve, and monitor standards for the selection and training of state correctional officers. Existing law requires each applicant for the position of correctional officer with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to undergo a mental health evaluation, prior to beginning employment, to ensure they do not have an emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect their exercise of the duties and powers in the position. This bill would allow a correctional officer employed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to receive a confidential mental health evaluation every calendar year to determine whether the individual has an emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect their exercise of the duties and powers of a correctional officer. The bill would specify the training and experience required for those conducting the evaluations. If a mental health evaluator determines that the individual has a condition that might adversely affect their exercise of the duties and powers of a correctional officer, the bill would require the evaluator to notify the correctional officer of that determination and to provide mental health resources, as specified. The bill would require the correctional officer to be allowed to receive treatment from a mental health professional of their choosing, and would require the costs of the mental health evaluation and treatment to be paid for by the department. As an incentive to participate in the mental health evaluation and treatment, the bill would allow for monetary bonuses, as specified. The bill would prohibit the evaluation from being shared with the Department of Human Resources without the affirmative and informed written consent of the correctional officer. The bill would prohibit the evaluation from being shared with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, or an individual or entity with authority over the department, as specified, and would prohibit the employer from taking action, as specified, against a correctional officer for being evaluated or for accessing mental health or other resources as a result of that evaluation. The bill would become operative only upon an agreement between an employer and a recognized employee organization or bargaining unit pursuant to specified provisions.