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H.B. 179

             1     

PEACE OFFICER RECERTIFICATION AMENDMENTS

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Richard A. Greenwood

             5     
Senate Sponsor: John L. Valentine

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Peace Officer Standards and Training Act regarding certification
             10      of peace officers.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    clarifies required qualifications in order to be certified as a peace officer;
             14          .    modifies the requirements and procedures for the waiver of any portion of the
             15      requirements for certification as a peace officer;
             16          .    provides that a peace officer's certification becomes inactive after 18 months of not
             17      being active as a peace officer, which adds six months to the current period of one
             18      year;
             19          .    clarifies all requirements for reinstatement of a certification that has lapsed or
             20      become inactive; and
             21          .    amends related code sections.
             22      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          17-22-1.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 5
             29          20A-9-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 12
             30          53-6-205, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 234
             31          53-6-208, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 234
             32          53-13-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 344
             33      REPEALS AND REENACTS:
             34          53-6-206, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 234
             35     
             36      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             37          Section 1. Section 17-22-1.5 is amended to read:
             38           17-22-1.5. County sheriff qualifications.
             39          (1) Each person filing a declaration of candidacy for the office of county sheriff shall
             40      submit to the county clerk, at the time of filing a declaration of candidacy, a certificate issued
             41      by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Division created under Section 53-6-103 stating
             42      that the candidate has:
             43          (a) (i) successfully met the standards and training requirements established for peace
             44      officers under Title 53, Chapter 6, Part 2, Peace Officer Training and Certification Act; or
             45          (ii) [passed a certification examination as provided] met the waiver requirements in
             46      Section 53-6-206 ; and
             47          (b) met the qualifications to be certified as a law enforcement officer, as defined in
             48      Section 53-13-103 .
             49          (2) In addition to the general qualifications required of county officers by Title 17,
             50      Chapter 16, County Officers, each county sheriff shall:
             51          (a) at the time of taking office:
             52          (i) (A) have successfully met the standards and training requirements established for
             53      peace officers under Title 53, Chapter 6, Part 2, Peace Officer Training and Certification Act;
             54      or
             55          (B) have [passed a certification examination as provided] met the waiver requirements
             56      in Section 53-6-206 ; and
             57          (ii) be qualified to be certified as:
             58          (A) a law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 53-13-103 ; and


             59          (B) if the person is elected to the office of county sheriff in any election held after the
             60      2008 general election:
             61          (I) a correctional officer, as defined in Section 53-13-104 ; or
             62          (II) a correctional facility manager by having successfully completed a correctional
             63      facility management course that is offered by a certified academy in both an online web-based
             64      format and in a classroom format and that is approved by the Peace Officer Standards and
             65      Training Council created in Section 53-6-106 ;
             66          (b) satisfactorily complete annual certified training as required in Section 53-13-103 ;
             67      and
             68          (c) after certification as provided in Subsection (2)(a), remain certified during the
             69      sheriff's term of office as:
             70          (i) a law enforcement officer; and
             71          (ii) if the person is elected to the office of county sheriff in any election held after the
             72      2008 general election:
             73          (A) a correctional officer; or
             74          (B) a correctional facility manager by having completed a correctional facility
             75      management course approved by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
             76          (3) If a sheriff resigns, retires, dies, or otherwise does not complete the term of office,
             77      the person appointed to serve for the remainder of the term shall within 60 days after the date
             78      of appointment complete the training and exam required under Subsection (2)(a)(ii)(B).
             79          (4) The county legislative body shall declare the office of sheriff to be vacant if at any
             80      time the incumbent sheriff fails to meet the qualifications for office under Subsection (2).
             81          Section 2. Section 20A-9-201 is amended to read:
             82           20A-9-201. Declarations of candidacy -- Candidacy for more than one office or of
             83      more than one political party prohibited with exceptions -- General filing and form
             84      requirements -- Affidavit of impecuniosity.
             85          (1) Before filing a declaration of candidacy for election to any office, a person shall:
             86          (a) be a United States citizen; and
             87          (b) meet the legal requirements of that office.
             88          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), a person may not:
             89          (i) file a declaration of candidacy for, or be a candidate for, more than one office in


             90      Utah during any election year; or
             91          (ii) appear on the ballot as the candidate of more than one political party.
             92          (b) A person may file a declaration of candidacy for, or be a candidate for, President or
             93      Vice President of the United States and another office, if the person resigns the person's
             94      candidacy for the other office after the person is officially nominated for President or Vice
             95      President of the United States.
             96          (3) (a) (i) Except for presidential candidates, before the filing officer may accept any
             97      declaration of candidacy, the filing officer shall:
             98          (A) read to the prospective candidate the constitutional and statutory qualification
             99      requirements for the office that the candidate is seeking; and
             100          (B) require the candidate to state whether or not the candidate meets those
             101      requirements.
             102          (ii) Before accepting a declaration of candidacy for the office of county attorney, the
             103      county clerk shall ensure that the person filing that declaration of candidacy is:
             104          (A) a United States citizen;
             105          (B) an attorney licensed to practice law in Utah who is an active member in good
             106      standing of the Utah State Bar;
             107          (C) a registered voter in the county in which [he] the person is seeking office; and
             108          (D) a current resident of the county in which [he] the person is seeking office and
             109      either has been a resident of that county for at least one year or was appointed and is currently
             110      serving as county attorney and became a resident of the county within 30 days after
             111      appointment to the office.
             112          (iii) Before accepting a declaration of candidacy for the office of district attorney, the
             113      county clerk shall ensure that, as of the date of the election, the person filing that declaration of
             114      candidacy is:
             115          (A) a United States citizen;
             116          (B) an attorney licensed to practice law in Utah who is an active member in good
             117      standing of the Utah State Bar;
             118          (C) a registered voter in the prosecution district in which [he] the person is seeking
             119      office; and
             120          (D) a current resident of the prosecution district in which [he] the person is seeking


             121      office and either will have been a resident of that prosecution district for at least one year as of
             122      the date of the election or was appointed and is currently serving as district attorney and
             123      became a resident of the prosecution district within 30 days after receiving appointment to the
             124      office.
             125          (iv) Before accepting a declaration of candidacy for the office of county sheriff, the
             126      county clerk shall ensure that the person filing the declaration of candidacy:
             127          (A) as of the date of filing:
             128          (I) is a United States citizen;
             129          (II) is a registered voter in the county in which the person seeks office;
             130          (III) (Aa) has successfully met the standards and training requirements established for
             131      law enforcement officers under Title 53, Chapter 6, Part 2, Peace Officer Training and
             132      Certification Act; or
             133          (Bb) has [passed a certification examination as provided] met the waiver requirements
             134      in Section 53-6-206 ; and
             135          (IV) is qualified to be certified as a law enforcement officer, as defined in Section
             136      53-13-103 ; and
             137          (B) as of the date of the election, shall have been a resident of the county in which the
             138      person seeks office for at least one year.
             139          (v) Before accepting a declaration of candidacy for the office of governor, lieutenant
             140      governor, state auditor, state treasurer, attorney general, state legislator, or State Board of
             141      Education member, the filing officer shall ensure:
             142          (A) that the person filing the declaration of candidacy also files the financial disclosure
             143      required by Section 20A-11-1603 ; and
             144          (B) if the filing officer is not the lieutenant governor, that the financial disclosure is
             145      provided to the lieutenant governor according to the procedures and requirements of Section
             146      20A-11-1603 .
             147          (b) If the prospective candidate states that [he does not meet] the qualification
             148      requirements for the office are not met, the filing officer may not accept the prospective
             149      candidate's declaration of candidacy.
             150          (c) If the candidate meets the requirements of Subsection (3)(a) and states that [he
             151      meets] the requirements of candidacy are met, the filing officer shall:


             152          (i) inform the candidate that:
             153          (A) the candidate's name will appear on the ballot as it is written on the declaration of
             154      candidacy;
             155          (B) the candidate may be required to comply with state or local campaign finance
             156      disclosure laws; and
             157          (C) the candidate is required to file a financial statement before the candidate's political
             158      convention under:
             159          (I) Section 20A-11-204 for a candidate for constitutional office;
             160          (II) Section 20A-11-303 for a candidate for the Legislature; or
             161          (III) local campaign finance disclosure laws, if applicable;
             162          (ii) provide the candidate with a copy of the current campaign financial disclosure laws
             163      for the office the candidate is seeking and inform the candidate that failure to comply will
             164      result in disqualification as a candidate and removal of the candidate's name from the ballot;
             165          (iii) provide the candidate with a copy of Section 20A-7-801 regarding the Statewide
             166      Electronic Voter Information Website Program and inform the candidate of the submission
             167      deadline under Subsection 20A-7-801 (4)(a);
             168          (iv) provide the candidate with a copy of the pledge of fair campaign practices
             169      described under Section 20A-9-206 and inform the candidate that:
             170          (A) signing the pledge is voluntary; and
             171          (B) signed pledges shall be filed with the filing officer;
             172          (v) accept the candidate's declaration of candidacy; and
             173          (vi) if the candidate has filed for a partisan office, provide a certified copy of the
             174      declaration of candidacy to the chair of the county or state political party of which the
             175      candidate is a member.
             176          (d) If the candidate elects to sign the pledge of fair campaign practices, the filing
             177      officer shall:
             178          (i) accept the candidate's pledge; and
             179          (ii) if the candidate has filed for a partisan office, provide a certified copy of the
             180      candidate's pledge to the chair of the county or state political party of which the candidate is a
             181      member.
             182          (4) Except for presidential candidates, the form of the declaration of candidacy shall be


             183      substantially as follows:
             184          "State of Utah, County of ____
             185          I, ______________, declare my intention of becoming a candidate for the office of
             186      ____ as a candidate for the ____ party. I do solemnly swear that: I will meet the qualifications
             187      to hold the office, both legally and constitutionally, if selected; I reside at _____________ in
             188      the City or Town of ____, Utah, Zip Code ____ Phone No. ____; I will not knowingly violate
             189      any law governing campaigns and elections; I will file all campaign financial disclosure reports
             190      as required by law; and I understand that failure to do so will result in my disqualification as a
             191      candidate for this office and removal of my name from the ballot. The mailing address that I
             192      designate for receiving official election notices is ___________________________.
             193      ____________________________________________________________________
             194          Subscribed and sworn before me this __________(month\day\year).
             195     
Notary Public (or other officer qualified to administer oath.)"

             196          (5) (a) Except for presidential candidates, the fee for filing a declaration of candidacy
             197      is:
             198          (i) $25 for candidates for the local school district board; and
             199          (ii) 1/8 of 1% of the total salary for the full term of office legally paid to the person
             200      holding the office, but not less than $5, for all other federal, state, and county offices.
             201          (b) Except for presidential candidates, the filing officer shall refund the filing fee to
             202      any candidate:
             203          (i) who is disqualified; or
             204          (ii) who the filing officer determines has filed improperly.
             205          (c) (i) The county clerk shall immediately pay to the county treasurer all fees received
             206      from candidates.
             207          (ii) The lieutenant governor shall:
             208          (A) apportion to and pay to the county treasurers of the various counties all fees
             209      received for filing of nomination certificates or acceptances; and
             210          (B) ensure that each county receives that proportion of the total amount paid to the
             211      lieutenant governor from the congressional district that the total vote of that county for all
             212      candidates for representative in Congress bears to the total vote of all counties within the
             213      congressional district for all candidates for representative in Congress.


             214          (d) (i) A person who is unable to pay the filing fee may file a declaration of candidacy
             215      without payment of the filing fee upon a prima facie showing of impecuniosity as evidenced by
             216      an affidavit of impecuniosity filed with the filing officer and, if requested by the filing officer,
             217      a financial statement filed at the time the affidavit is submitted.
             218          (ii) A person who is able to pay the filing fee may not claim impecuniosity.
             219          (iii) (A) False statements made on an affidavit of impecuniosity or a financial
             220      statement filed under this section shall be subject to the criminal penalties provided under
             221      Sections 76-8-503 and 76-8-504 and any other applicable criminal provision.
             222          (B) Conviction of a criminal offense under Subsection (5)(d)(iii)(A) shall be
             223      considered an offense under this title for the purposes of assessing the penalties provided in
             224      Subsection 20A-1-609 (2).
             225          (iv) The filing officer shall ensure that the affidavit of impecuniosity is printed in
             226      substantially the following form:
             227          "Affidavit of Impecuniosity
             228      Individual Name
             229      ____________________________Address_____________________________
             230      Phone Number _________________
             231      I,__________________________(name), do solemnly [swear] [affirm], under penalty of law
             232      for false statements, that, owing to my poverty, I am unable to pay the filing fee required by
             233      law.
             234      Date ______________ Signature________________________________________________
             235      Affiant
             236      Subscribed and sworn to before me on ___________ (month\day\year)
             237     
______________________

             238     
(signature)

             239          Name and Title of Officer Authorized to Administer Oath
______________________"

             240          (v) The filing officer shall provide to a person who requests an affidavit of
             241      impecuniosity a statement printed in substantially the following form, which may be included
             242      on the affidavit of impecuniosity:
             243           "Filing a false statement is a criminal offense. In accordance with Section 20A-1-609 , a
             244      candidate who is found guilty of filing a false statement, in addition to being subject to criminal


             245penalties, will be removed from the ballot."
             246          (vi) The filing officer may request that a person who makes a claim of impecuniosity
             247      under this Subsection (5)(d) file a financial statement on a form prepared by the election
             248      official.
             249          (6) Any person who fails to file a declaration of candidacy or certificate of nomination
             250      within the time provided in this chapter is ineligible for nomination to office.
             251          (7) A declaration of candidacy filed under this section may not be amended or
             252      modified after the final date established for filing a declaration of candidacy.
             253          Section 3. Section 53-6-205 is amended to read:
             254           53-6-205. Completion of training course required -- Persons affected.
             255          [(1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a peace officer in this state must
             256      successfully complete the basic course at a certified academy, or successfully pass a state
             257      certification examination according to the requirements of Section 53-6-206 , before that person
             258      can be certified.]
             259          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), before a person may be certified as a
             260      peace officer in Utah the person shall:
             261          (i) successfully complete the basic training course at a certified academy;
             262          (ii) pass the certification examination; and
             263          (iii) pass a physical fitness test.
             264          (b) A person may not exercise peace officer [powers] authority until certified.
             265          (2) Subsection (1) applies only to persons not previously certified and who receive
             266      their first employment appointment or election as a peace officer in [this state] Utah on or after
             267      January 1, 1985.
             268          Section 4. Section 53-6-206 is repealed and reenacted to read:
             269          53-6-206. Waiver of training course requirement.
             270          (1) The director may waive the required basic peace officer training course and certify
             271      an applicant who:
             272          (a) provides proof that the applicant meets the requirements under Section 53-6-203
             273      relating to qualifications for admission to the training course;
             274          (b) provides proof that the applicant has completed a basic peace officer training
             275      program that, in the director's judgment, is equivalent to the course required for certification


             276      under this part;
             277          (c) passes the certification examination; and
             278          (d) passes a physical fitness test.
             279          (2) A waiver applicant may not exercise peace officer authority until all waiver process
             280      requirements have been met and the applicant has been certified.
             281          (3) If an applicant fails the examination under Subsection (1)(c), the director may not
             282      waive the required basic peace officer training course and the applicant shall comply with all of
             283      the requirements in Subsection 53-6-205 (1) to be certified as a peace officer in Utah.
             284          Section 5. Section 53-6-208 is amended to read:
             285           53-6-208. Inactive certificates -- Lapse of certificate -- Reinstatement.
             286          (1) (a) The certificate of a peace officer who has not been actively engaged in
             287      performing the duties of a peace officer for [one year shall be] 18 consecutive months or more
             288      is designated "inactive."
             289          [(b) If a peace officer having an inactive certificate becomes reemployed or
             290      subsequently reengaged as a peace officer, his certificate may be reissued or reinstated by the
             291      director upon successful completion by that peace officer of the waiver process established by
             292      the director.]
             293          [(c) The director may require a peace officer with an inactive certificate to successfully
             294      complete the basic training course before reissuing or reinstating certification.]
             295          (b) A peace officer whose certificate is inactive shall pass the certification examination
             296      and a physical fitness test before the certificate may be reissued or reinstated.
             297          (2) (a) The certificate of a peace officer [lapses if he] who has not been actively
             298      engaged in performing the duties of a peace officer for four continuous years[.] or more is
             299      designated as "lapsed."
             300           [(b) Subject to Section 53-6-206 , the peace officer shall successfully complete the
             301      basic training course before the certificate may be reissued or reinstated.]
             302          (b) A peace officer whose certificate is lapsed shall pass the basic training course at a
             303      certified academy, the certification examination, and a physical fitness test before the
             304      certificate may be reissued or reinstated.
             305          Section 6. Section 53-13-103 is amended to read:
             306           53-13-103. Law enforcement officer.


             307          (1) (a) "Law enforcement officer" means a sworn and certified peace officer who is an
             308      employee of a law enforcement agency that is part of or administered by the state or any of its
             309      political subdivisions, and whose primary and principal duties consist of the prevention and
             310      detection of crime and the enforcement of criminal statutes or ordinances of this state or any of
             311      its political subdivisions.
             312          (b) "Law enforcement officer" specifically includes the following:
             313          (i) any sheriff or deputy sheriff, chief of police, police officer, or marshal of any
             314      county, city, or town;
             315          (ii) the commissioner of public safety and any member of the Department of Public
             316      Safety certified as a peace officer;
             317          (iii) all persons specified in Sections 23-20-1.5 and 79-4-501 ;
             318          (iv) any police officer employed by any college or university;
             319          (v) investigators for the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division;
             320          (vi) special agents or investigators employed by the attorney general, district attorneys,
             321      and county attorneys;
             322          (vii) employees of the Department of Natural Resources designated as peace officers
             323      by law;
             324          (viii) school district police officers as designated by the board of education for the
             325      school district;
             326          (ix) the executive director of the Department of Corrections and any correctional
             327      enforcement or investigative officer designated by the executive director and approved by the
             328      commissioner of public safety and certified by the division;
             329          (x) correctional enforcement, investigative, or adult probation and parole officers
             330      employed by the Department of Corrections serving on or before July 1, 1993;
             331          (xi) members of a law enforcement agency established by a private college or
             332      university provided that the college or university has been certified by the commissioner of
             333      public safety according to rules of the Department of Public Safety;
             334          (xii) airport police officers of any airport owned or operated by the state or any of its
             335      political subdivisions; and
             336          (xiii) transit police officers designated under Section 17B-2a-823 .
             337          (2) Law enforcement officers may serve criminal process and arrest violators of any


             338      law of this state and have the right to require aid in executing their lawful duties.
             339          (3) (a) A law enforcement officer has statewide full-spectrum peace officer authority,
             340      but the authority extends to other counties, cities, or towns only when the officer is acting
             341      under Title 77, Chapter 9, Uniform Act on Fresh Pursuit, unless the law enforcement officer is
             342      employed by the state.
             343          (b) (i) A local law enforcement agency may limit the jurisdiction in which its law
             344      enforcement officers may exercise their peace officer authority to a certain geographic area.
             345          (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(b)(i), a law enforcement officer may exercise [his]
             346      authority outside of the limited geographic area, pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 9, Uniform Act
             347      on Fresh Pursuit, if the officer is pursuing an offender for an offense that occurred within the
             348      limited geographic area.
             349          (c) The authority of law enforcement officers employed by the Department of
             350      Corrections is regulated by Title 64, Chapter 13, Department of Corrections - State Prison.
             351          (4) A law enforcement officer shall, prior to exercising peace officer authority[,
             352      satisfactorily complete]:
             353          [(a) the basic course at a certified law enforcement officer training academy or pass a
             354      certification examination as provided]
             355          (a) (i) have satisfactorily completed the requirements of Section 53-6-205 ; or
             356          (ii) have met the waiver requirements in Section 53-6-206 [, and be certified]; and
             357          (b) shall have satisfactorily completed annual certified training of at least 40 hours per
             358      year as directed by the director of the division, with the advice and consent of the council.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-28-11 12:20 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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