The National Conference of State Legislatures provides you with up-to-date, real-time information on law enforcement legislation that has been introduced in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The database contains policing bills and executive orders introduced as of May 25, 2020, that are in response to recent events.
Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs), which bring together stakeholders to explore and respond to issues in the criminal justice system, are among the ways legislatures can engage with local governments to produce criminal justice reform. NCSL conducted interviews with four individuals engaged with their local CJCCs. Read the interviews and learn more about CJCCs.
People with mental illness are not more likely than anyone else to commit violent acts. However, it is much more likely that a person in crisis will encounter law enforcement officers than mental health professionals. Because of this, law enforcement agencies and state lawmakers have been working to create alternative responses and improve law enforcement responses and training.
Legislative interest in law enforcement continues to focus on improving officer safety while building accountabability and trust with their communities served. For more information, visit NCSL's Resources page.
In Washington, D.C., lawmakers face a large gap to bridge as Democrats and Republicans are split on banning chokeholds and qualified immunity, among other partisan policy differences. Iowa’s legislation, meanwhile, achieved unanimous support in both chambers after two days of deliberation. Including the drafting of the bill, the whole process took a total of 10 days.
NCSL partners with the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's Safety and Justice Challenge on front-end justice policies.
