Governor signs two police reform measures

Gov. Steve Sisolak on Friday signed two police reform bills that came out of the just-completed special legislative session.

In June, Sisolak vowed to address criminal and social justice reform after the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd’s death sparked a wave of national protests and an enduring conversation about police reform.

“Nevadans should always feel safe in their own communities and confident that they will not have to fear for their lives from those that are charged with protecting them,” Sisolak said in a statement Friday. “We will not squander this opportunity. We will push forward. This moment will not be fleeting and forgotten, it will persist.”

One piece of legislation,

Senate Bill 2, changes a 2019 bill that strengthened rights for officers facing noncriminal misconduct allegations. It eliminates a previous provision that restricted the use of officer statements in civil proceedings.

Assembly Bill 3 bans police chokeholds, explicitly authorizes people to record law enforcement activity and requires officers to intervene if they see a fellow officer using excessive force.

With the police reform legislation, Sisolak signed Senate Bill 1, which allows courts to stay evictions for up to 30 days in favor of an alternative form of dispute resolution.

“It is important legislation like this that will help Nevadans weather the storm during these difficult times, help them collaborate with their landlords to find an alternative means to resolve any disputes, and ultimately enable them to stay safely in their homes,” Sisolak said in a statement. “This first step is vital as we remain on our road to recovery.”