SB155

With certain exceptions, existing law requires any officer of the State of Nevada or any political subdivision of the State or any person acting under or for such an officer in any office or department of the State or political subdivision of the State to employ only citizens or wards of the United States. (NRS 281.060) Section 1 of this bill creates an exception to this limitation, effective on January 1, 2026, by authorizing the employment as peace officers of persons who: (1) are legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; (2) have been employed as a peace officer in another state; and (3) who satisfy all other applicable limitations on or requirements relating to the employment of peace officers. Existing law requires the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission to adopt regulations establishing minimum standards for the certification and decertification, recruitment, selection and training of peace officers. (NRS 289.510) Section 2 of this bill prohibits the Commission from adopting regulations that require citizenship of the United States for the appointment of a person as a peace officer, if the person: (1) is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; (2) has been employed as a peace officer in another state; and (3) satisfies all other applicable limitations on or requirements relating to the employment of peace officers. Section 3 of this bill voids any existing regulations that conflict with this change. C