On March 8, 2022, Associate Policy Director D’Paul Nibber testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1013 – Public Safety – Safer Communities Fund and Task Force – Establishment. This bill would establish a fund available to local governments in support of programs preventing a police response to low–level crimes and noncriminal incidences.

From the MACo testimony: 

Many counties have already begun studying and implementing alternatives to law enforcement to address crime. Several of the initiatives supported by HB 1013 are already underway in our counties, including the deployment of behavioral health crisis response units and the construction of lighting infrastructure and safer public passages. This bill would have the added effect of potentially reducing the burden placed on stretched county law enforcement.

MACo will be testifying on the bill’s crossfile, SB 893, on March 15, 2022.

More on MACo’s Adocacy:

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
Learn more about MACo’s 2022 Legislative Initiatives.
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.