Senate orders third reading of H.171 to create unified protocols for officer-involved shootings

The Senate ordered third reading of H.171 after a Judiciary committee report describing the bill's intent to standardize investigations of officer-involved shootings and avoid conflicts of interest.

Senator Norris, the Judiciary Committee reporter, told the chamber H.171 asks the attorney general's office to work with state's attorneys, the Department of Public Safety and chiefs of police to identify a protocol addressing definitions that trigger investigations, conflict-of-interest management, material assessment and timeliness of charging decisions. The bill requires a written report on agreed protocols and any recommended statutory changes by Dec. 1, 2026.

Why it matters: The measure aims to improve transparency and public trust in independent reviews of serious law-enforcement incidents and to speed determinations about potential criminal charges. The committee reported the bill unanimously.

Next steps: The Senate ordered third reading; the required interagency work and reporting will proceed with a statutory deadline.