Criminal Justice (Licensing)

Requires public agencies to establish preliminary license application procedures to determine whether an applicant for a license would be ineligible for such license based on criminal history; establishes time frames for public agencies to respond to such applications; requires public agencies to report information regarding granting licenses annually.

This bill establishes a mandatory licensing system for all police and peace officers in the state, requiring licenses by January 1, 2027, with licenses valid for five years and renewal tied to continuing education. License renewal includes specific training on de-escalation techniques for mental health crises, protests, and cultural competency regarding race, ethnicity, and gender identity. It creates an independent review board to handle disciplinary actions for professional misconduct (such as excessive force), with powers to revoke licenses, impose fines, or mandate additional training. The law also revises state criminal procedure codes to require that only officers licensed under this act may serve as police or peace officers.