HB 896: Substantial Risk Order Training Program; established, delayed effective date, report.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Substantial risk orders; Substantial Risk Order Training Program established; annual report. Directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish the Substantial Risk Order Training Program for the purposes of training law-enforcement agencies and other public institutions throughout the Commonwealth to use and implement the substantial risk order law. The bill directs all law-enforcement officers to receive training in the use and implementation of substantial risk orders. The bill requires the programming to provide training regarding proper procedures to follow, the circumstances under which the law can be used, the benefits to public safety from proper use of the law, and the harm that may ensue from the law not being used when lawfully available. The Program also includes efforts to educate the public on and increase awareness of the substantial risk order law. The bill requires the Department to report by November 1 each year to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security regarding the use of Program funds, details of the content of programming developed, and the effectiveness of the Program in assisting law-enforcement agencies and other public institutions in the use of the substantial risk order law. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.The bill requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to evaluate all potential funding sources for the Program and submit a report on its findings, including the availability of federal funding, to the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and for Courts of Justice and the House Committees on Appropriations and for Courts of Justice no later than November 1, 2026.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 696 (effective 7/1/2026)
2. April 1, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB896)
3. March 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
4. March 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
5. March 31, 2026Signed by Speaker
6. March 30, 2026Signed by President
7. March 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB896ER)
8. March 30, 2026Enrolled
9. March 11, 2026Senate substitute agreed to by House (64-Y 35-N 0-A)
10. March 10, 2026Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
11. March 10, 2026Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
12. March 10, 2026Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history