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H 2585

An Act relative to police chief reform and improvement – certification act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Day

Creates a separate Police Chief Certification with staged licenses (temp to pro) and a Standards & Accreditation Committee to lift chief qualifications and accountability.

Accompanied a study order, see H5322 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2585

Summary: H. 2585 — An Act relative to police chief reform and improvement – certification act

Overview

  • Bill Number: H. 2585 (House Docket No. 3901)
  • Title: An Act relative to police chief reform and improvement – certification act
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Purpose: Establish a distinct certification process for police chiefs separate from the standard police officer certification, create a dedicated standards and accreditation committee, and outline licensing stages and training to elevate the professional qualifications of police chiefs.
  • Status: Hearing scheduled for September 25, 2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM in room A-2. Filed Jan 17, 2025; referred to Public Safety and Homeland Security; Senate concurrence noted in the bill history.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a formal, separate pathway to qualify and maintain eligibility as a Police Chief.
  • Raise and standardize the level of competence, training, management ability, and overall professional quality among police chiefs.
  • Provide structured progression for those seeking chief status, with mechanisms to remove individuals who fail to meet reasonable standards, while promoting ongoing professional development.

Key provisions

1) New certification framework

  • Enacts a distinct “Police Chief Certification” process, separate from the Police Officer Certification.

2) Police Chief Standards and Accreditation Committee

  • Establishes a Police Chief Standards and Accreditation Committee to develop and implement certification procedures.
  • Membership: up to 5 members.
    • At least one member with substantial experience as a Police Chief.
    • At least one member representing the general public.
    • Formation determined through consultation with: the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the Governor’s Office, and the Attorney General.

3) Licensing schedule for Police Chiefs

  • Temporary License: Time-limited to 1 year.
  • Provisional License: Time-limited to 2 years.
  • Initial License: Time-limited to 3 years.
  • Professional License: Time-limited to 5 years.

4) Objectives and evaluation

  • Recognize and elevate the skills, training, and management capabilities required of police chiefs.
  • Provide a reasonable pathway to promotion and qualified leadership.
  • Allow time for officers to meet the new certification standards and demonstrate competence.

4A) Training and standards

  • Regulation and standards will include recommendations for training availability and requirements.
  • Standards to be developed and refined over time to continually improve professional capabilities.

5) Costs and reforms

  • Acknowledges potential removal of some long-tenured officers or chiefs as reforms are implemented.
  • Requires consideration of retirements and alignment with existing Retirement Law provisions to facilitate transitions.

Who would be affected

  • Current and aspiring police chiefs seeking certification.
  • Police departments and municipal governments (administrative and budget implications for training, certification processes, and potential personnel changes).
  • Training providers and professional development entities responsible for delivering required instruction.
  • Public users who may benefit from higher professional standards and accountability in policing leadership.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Hearing: Scheduled for September 25, 2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM) in A-2.
  • Legislative actions noted:
    • Referred to the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee on February 27, 2025.
    • Senate concurred on February 27, 2025.
  • Related bill note: HD 3901 is identified as replacing the prior form; the current bill is filed as House Docket No. 3901.

Potential impact and implementation considerations

  • Creates a formal pathway and governance structure for policing leadership certification.
  • May require regulatory rulemaking by EOPSS, the Governor’s Office, and the Attorney General, and capacity building for training programs.
  • Could influence personnel practices, promotions, retirements, and budget planning within municipalities.
  • The staged licensing approach (Temporary, Provisional, Initial, Professional) provides a phased implementation timeline but requires clear criteria and evaluation metrics.

If you’d like, I can extract a concise one-page briefing for policymakers or expand any section with proposed timelines or implementation challenges.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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