NC House Passes Bill 436
INSIGHTS FROM OUR CEO
There are currently two bills traveling through the North Carolina General Assembly that contain language requiring the administration of a face-to-face clinical interview conducted by a licensed psychologist, in addition to testing. These bills will require all criminal justice officers to complete these steps before hiring. House Bill 436, “Support Law Enforcement Mental Health,” was introduced by Dr. Kristin Baker. This bill passed through House Judiciary 4 Committee two weeks ago and recently passed unanimously (117-0). Senate Bill 300, “Criminal Justice Reform,” was introduced by Senator Danny Britt. Senate Bill 300 was discussed last week, and it is expected to be voted on this upcoming week.
We support both bills, and we are thankful for our NC Sheriffs and Chiefs that have endorsed this legislation. The main objective is coming to fruition, requiring criminal justice officers to have a comprehensive psychological evaluation, including testing AND a clinical interview with a licensed psychologist.
House Bill 436 is a milestone for North Carolina. Our goal has always been and will continue to promote psychological best practices in our state, specifically regarding the psychological suitability of our public safety professionals. By requiring a psychological evaluation before employment and the other critical steps that make up the hiring process, department leaders can say they did all they could to ensure safety. Information provided will help assess the emotional preparedness for the position and feedback to inform employers about performance in this safety-sensitive position. These bills, which hopefully become law, will assure public safety professionals and the jurisdictions they serve that individuals hired for these unique jobs are the best fit.
Elizabeth Morris, M.A.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Phone: 336-761-0764 ext. 1011
Email: elizabeth@fmrt.org
FMRT Updates
New Client Employers!
Shout out to our newest clients: Navassa PD and Gaston County EMS of NC and Union County Sheriff’s Office in SC. We look forward to a long and healthy working relationship with you!
We Want Your Feedback
Your feedback helps us improve our services and ensure we are meeting all client expectations. To help us make the best choices, we value your insight and want your feedback.
We thank you for your survey response and appreciate your input.
Click Here to Take Survey
Connect With FMRT
Connect with FMRT on social media for important updates, mental health tips, and FMRT news. We are active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and now Instagram. Tune in every week for #MotivationMonday for inspiration.
FMRT Online User Guide
Thank you for your patience as we continue to transition to the new FMRT Online. We created a user guide to assist employers as they navigate the new and improved platform. Please contact Jennifer Beauchamp (Jennifer@fmrt.org) with questions or need help troubleshooting. To access the FMRT Online User Guide, click here.
