Concerning Law Enforcement Officer Standards; And To Require A Psychological Evaluation Or Assessment To Become Or Be Employed As A Law Enforcement Officer.
Summary
HB1769 would require psychological screening for law enforcement personnel in Arkansas. The bill directs the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to require every individual to be evaluated or assessed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist before being employed by a law enforcement agency. It also applies to current officers, including full-time, part-time, and auxiliary officers, by requiring a biennial psychological evaluation or assessment to maintain certification and continued employment.
The bill allows these evaluations to be conducted in person or by telemedicine. For new officers, an in-person evaluation must be obtained within the first month of employment to continue working, and a questionnaire-based assessment may be used only temporarily for up to 30 days before a full evaluation is required. The bill also bars submission of psychological evaluations older than two years and requires officers to keep their evaluations updated every two years with the commission.
Impact
HB1769 would amend Arkansas Code Title 12, Chapter 9, Subchapter 1 by adding a new section governing psychological evaluations for law enforcement officers. It would expand the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training’s responsibilities by making psychological screening a condition of initial employment and ongoing certification. The measure affects law enforcement agencies, current officers, applicants, and the licensed mental health professionals who perform the evaluations, while establishing a statewide standard for frequency, timing, and acceptable methods of assessment.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text, the proposal appears to be framed as a public-safety and professional standards measure, with an emphasis on ensuring officers are psychologically fit for duty. The absence of recorded discussion prevents a reliable assessment of broader legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s stated purpose.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are the cost, logistics, and privacy implications of requiring recurring psychological evaluations for all law enforcement officers and applicants. Agencies may be concerned about the administrative burden of biennial testing, the need to secure qualified evaluators, and the feasibility of meeting the first-month in-person requirement for new hires. Supporters would likely emphasize officer fitness, accountability, and public trust, while critics may question whether the mandate is overly broad, especially as it applies to part-time and auxiliary officers and permits only a short-term questionnaire-based substitute.
To Authorize A Licensed Psychological Practitioner To Practice Independently In This State; And To Remove The Independent Practice Privileges From Psychological Examiners.