HCS HB 248 -- CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING
COMMISSION

SPONSOR:  Gratz (Ward)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Correctional and State Institutions by a vote of 13 to 0.

This substitute creates within the Department of Public Safety
the Corrections Officer Standards and Training Commission.

The substitute:

(1)  Contains provisions regarding the appointment,
qualifications, and duties of the members of the commission;

(2)  Requires the commission to establish a core curriculum and
formulate rules and regulations for the administration of
corrections officers standards and training programs;

(3)  Requires the Director of the Department of Corrections to
certify all programs proposed by the commission;

(4)  Allows the commission to provide educational materials to
all state correctional facilities regarding training, provide
training seminars, consult and cooperate with all state or
federal agencies for the development of programs, and issue,
suspend, and revoke any indicia of compliance;

(5)  Requires that after January 1, 2002, all persons hired as
corrections officers complete an instructional program certified
by the director.  Persons holding positions as of the date
specified may attend the programs on a voluntary basis;

(6)  Requires the commission to design and implement continuing
education programs for corrections officers as a requirement for
continued employment;

(7)  Authorizes the director or a designee to visit and inspect
any certified training academy or program to determine whether
the program meets all standards established by the director;

(8)  Authorizes the director to issue, suspend, or revoke
certificates of compliance of training programs and instructors;
and

(9)  Provides for an appeals process for any aggrieved employee
to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that corrections officers are
falling behind in the educational background needed to be
successful and competent in their field.  Corrections officers
feel that they do the same job as police officers, but in a more
dangerous environment.  State law requires police to be
certified by the Department of Public Safety and corrections
officers would also like a certification program to be created
for them.  Right now there is some question regarding the
legitimacy of the arrest and detention powers of corrections
officers because they aren't certified.  Morale within the
department is low and turnover is very high.  It is felt that
certification could change this by giving corrections officers a
better opportunity to make a career with the department.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Ward; and Missouri
Corrections Officers Association.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the current
training is modeled after the standards set by the National
Institute on Corrections and are equal with those throughout the
country.  The department has provided opportunities for
corrections officers to take courses within many colleges
throughout the state and feel this certification program is not
necessary.  Others feel that the bill doesn't go far enough.
There is nothing in the bill addressing pay increases.

Testifying against the bill were the Department of Corrections
and AFSCME.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:43 am