Driver and Officer Safety Education Act

To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a grant program for States that establish specific standards for education and training programs concerning civilian and law enforcement encounters during traffic stops and other in-person encounters, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Driver and Officer Safety Education Act 2. Grant program for States meeting minimum standards for educational and training programs concerning law enforcement practices during traffic stops and other in-person encounters (a) Increase in authorization levels Section 4001(a)(3) of the FAST Act is amended by— (1) striking paragraphs (D) and (E); and (2) inserting after paragraph (C) the following: (D) $288,660,000 for fiscal year 2019; and (E) $291,618,000 for fiscal year 2020. . (b) Grant program Section 405 of title 23, United States Code is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking 13 12.74 (2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking 14.5 14.21 (3) in subsection (a)(3), by striking 52.5 51.45 (4) in subsection (a)(4), by striking 8.5 8.33 (5) in subsection (a)(5), by striking 1.5 1.47 (6) in subsection (a)(6), by striking 5 4.9 (7) in subsection (a)(7), by striking 5 4.9 (8) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (10) of subsection (a) as paragraphs (9) through (11); (9) by inserting after subsection (a)(7) the following: (8) Commuter safety education In each fiscal year, 2 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that implement commuter safety education programs (as described in subsection (i)). ; (10) in subsection (a)(9), as so redesignated, by— (A) striking through (7) through (8) (B) striking through (h) through (i) (11) by inserting at the end the following: (i) Commuter safety education (1) General authority Subject to the requirements under this subsection, the Secretary of Transportation shall award grants to States that enact a commuter safety education program. (2) Federal share The Federal share of the costs of activities funded using amounts from grants awarded under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent for each fiscal year for which a State receives a grant. (3) Eligibility To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, a State shall enact a law or adopt a program that requires the following: (A) Driver education and driving safety courses Inclusion, in driver education and driving safety courses provided to individuals by educational and motor vehicle agencies of the State, of instruction and testing concerning law enforcement practices during traffic stops and other in-person encounters, including information on— (i) the role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of peace officers; (ii) an individual’s legal rights concerning interactions with peace officers; (iii) best practices for civilians and peace officers during such interactions; (iv) laws regarding questioning and detention by peace officers, including any law requiring an individual to present proof of identity to a peace officer; (v) the consequences for an individual’s or officer's failure to comply with those laws; and (vi) how and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a peace officer. (B) Peace officer training programs Development and implementation of a training program, including instruction and testing materials, for peace officers and reserve law enforcement officers (other than officers who have received training in a civilian course described in subparagraph (A)) pertaining to proper interaction with civilians during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. (4) Allocation of grant funds For each fiscal year, funds made available to carry out this subsection for such fiscal year shall be apportioned to a covered State in an amount determined by multiplying— (A) the amount made available to carry out this subsection for the fiscal year; by (B) the ratio that the amount of funds apportioned to each such State under section 402 for such fiscal year bears to the total amount of funds apportioned to all such States under section 402 for such fiscal year. (5) Covered State In this subsection, a covered State (A) a State that the Secretary determines is enforcing and carrying out the law or program described in paragraph (3); and (B) a State that qualifies pursuant to paragraph (6)(A). (6) Special rule for certain States (A) Qualifying State A State qualifies pursuant to this subparagraph if— (i) the Secretary determines such State has taken meaningful steps toward the full implementation of a law or program described in paragraph (3); (ii) the Secretary determines such State has established a timetable for the implementation of such law or program; and (iii) subject to subparagraph (C), such State has received a grant pursuant to this subsection for a period of no more than 2 years. (B) Withholding With respect to a State that qualifies pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (i) withhold 50 percent of the amount that such State would otherwise receive if such State were a State described in paragraph (5)(A); and (ii) direct any such amounts for distribution among the States described in paragraph (5)(A). (C) Waiver Upon the request of a State, the Secretary may waive or modify the 2-year period described in subparagraph (A)(iii) if the Secretary determines that such a waiver would be equitable due to exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances. (7) Use of grant amounts Grant funds received pursuant to this subsection may be used— (A) for the production of educational materials and training of staff for driver education and driving safety courses and peace officer training described in paragraph (3); and (B) for the implementation of the law described in paragraph (3). . 3. Effective date The amendments made by section 2(b) shall take effect on the first day of the fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Driver and Officer Safety Education Act This bill increases authorization levels for FY2019-FY2020 for national priority safety programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Additionally, the bill decreases the allocation of funds under such programs for (1) occupant protection, (2) state traffic safety information system improvements, and (3) impaired driving countermeasures. DOT must award grants to states that enact a commuter safety education program for educational and training programs concerning law enforcement practices during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. In each fiscal year, 2% of the funds provided for commuter safety education shall be allocated among states that implement commuter safety education programs.