HB 23-1143

HB 23-1143, which has been signed into law by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2023, allows certain immigrants with deferred action status or asylum seekers to become certified peace officers in Colorado if they meet specific training requirements. It also permits these individuals to carry firearms while serving as peace officers, provided their employing agency has a compliant firearms policy. This bill impacts eligible immigrants who wish to work in law enforcement and could help increase diversity within police forces.

Official Summary

The act permits the peace officers standards and training (P.O.S.T.) board to promulgate rules concerning persons who have deferred action status from the federal immigration and naturalization service or who have applied for asylum status (eligible immigrants) to be a certified peace officer or reserve peace officer. The act permits every law enforcement agency to amend its written firearms policy to allow an eligible immigrant to possess a firearm, so long as the firearms policy complies with federal requirements. The act authorizes an eligible immigrant to enroll in a training academy if the immigrant is employed by a law enforcement agency that has a firearms policy that allows an eligible immigrant to possess a firearm. APPROVED by Governor April 27, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes