HF3440

Purpose

This bill extends and funds training for law enforcement use of force. It provides reimbursement grants to eligible postsecondary schools that offer in-service training programs on the use of force, including deadly force, for peace officers. The goal is to improve officers’ training by including realistic scenarios, stress management, de-escalation, and other relevant skills, while ensuring the training is free to officers and their agencies.

Main Provisions

• Funding and duration
  • An appropriation of $250,000 in the first year to reimburse costs for the training.
  • Up to 2.5% of the funds may be used for administration and monitoring.
  • The appropriation is available through June 30, 2027.
• Eligibility and oversight
  • Training must satisfy Minnesota Statutes section 626.8452 and be approved by the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
• Training requirements
  • Use of scenario-based training that simulates real-world situations.
  • Involves firearms that fire nonlethal ammunition.
  • Includes a block of instruction on the physical and psychological effects of stress before, during, and after high-risk or traumatic incidents, and the cumulative impact of stress on officers’ health.
  • Includes blocks on de-escalation methods, bias awareness, unknown risk training, defensive tactics, and force-on-force training.
• Access and cost
  • Training must be offered to peace officers at no charge to the officer or the law enforcement agency.
• Reimbursement mechanics
  • Eligible postsecondary schools may apply for reimbursement for the costs of offering the training.
  • Reimbursement is $450 for each officer who completes the training.
  • Schools must submit the officer’s name and peace officer license number to the Office of Higher Education.
• Definitions
  • “Law enforcement agency” and “peace officer” definitions are as provided in Minnesota Statutes (626.84, subdivision 1, paragraphs f and c, respectively).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extends the availability of funds for law enforcement use-of-force training (previously authorized under Laws 2025, chapter 35, article 2, section 9) to continue through June 30, 2027.
• Adds explicit requirements for the training content (scenario-based, nonlethal firearms, stress education, de-escalation, bias, and related topics) and for offering the training at no cost to officers or agencies.
• Establishes a reimbursement program administered by the Office of Higher Education, with a per-officer payment of $450 and reporting requirements (officer name and license number).
• Keeps POST approval and statutory definitions in place to determine eligibility and program parameters.

Relevant Terms - Use of Force Training - inservice training - deadly force - postsecondary school - reimbursement grants - Office of Higher Education - Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) - Minnesota Statutes section 626.8452 - Minnesota Statutes section 626.84 - law enforcement agency - peace officer - scenario-based training - nonlethal ammunition - stress effects (physical and psychological) - de-escalation - bias - unknown risk training - defensive tactics - force-on-force training - administration and monitoring - funding available until June 30, 2027 - $450 per officer