Bill
SB 2345
The bill would create a Law Enforcement Hiring Task Force and require stronger background checks to prevent hiring officers with dangerous or undisclosed history.
Note on document: The materials provided appear to combine two different proposals and legislative histories from different jurisdictions. This summary separates and summarizes the two distinct measures found in the record: (A) the "Law Enforcement Hiring Act" (also cited as the Sonya Massey Act) introduced by Sen. Doris Turner, and (B) a separate short bill providing state employee compensation adjustments for the 2025–27 biennium. There are inconsistencies in dates, sponsors, and legislative-action entries in the source; readers should verify the final text and jurisdiction before relying on this for legal or budgeting decisions.
Purpose
- To strengthen hiring and screening practices for law enforcement agencies and to develop recommendations to prevent people with dangerous histories from being hired.
Key provisions
- Creates the Law Enforcement Hiring Task Force.
- Charge: (1) identify measures to prevent hiring unfit candidates; (2) explore strategies to prevent unnecessary deaths caused by law enforcement; and (3) report recommendations to the General Assembly by June 30, 2026.
- Membership: 13 appointed members — 3 by the Senate President, 3 by the Speaker of the House, 2 by the House Minority Leader, 2 by the Senate Minority Leader, and 3 by the Governor.
- Background-check/hiring requirements (text in the record is garbled but the apparent intent):
- Law enforcement agencies would be prohibited from hiring an officer without reviewing prior employers’ administrative disciplinary actions, terminations, and administrative reviews.
- Agencies would be prohibited from hiring if they spent fewer than 30 days reviewing an applicant’s records (i.e., establishes a minimum review period).
Who is affected
- State and local law enforcement agencies, current and prospective law enforcement officers, and legislative oversight bodies that would receive the Task Force report.
Timeline/next steps
- Task Force report due by June 30, 2026.
- The bill record indicates it was introduced (early 2025) and later placed on second reading; according to the supplied status it failed on second reading (yeas 6, nays 41). Verify jurisdiction and final disposition.
Purpose
- Provide uniform pay increases for permanent state employees for the 2025–27 biennium.
Key provisions
- Permanent state employee compensation increases: 4.0% for Year 1 and 4.0% for Year 2 (per eligible employee).
- Effective dates:
- Year 1 increase effective beginning July 2025, paid in August 2025.
- Year 2 increase effective beginning July 2026, paid in August 2026.
Who is affected
- Permanent state employees covered by the bill; fiscal impact depends on headcount, payroll base, and relevant benefits calculations.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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