Allows the director of the department of public safety to deny a peace officer license if an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or has had a license permanently revoked or suspended

HB 981 sets three specific conditions under which the director of public safety may deny a peace officer license or entry into basic training: if an applicant is not a U.S. citizen, if they previously had a license permanently revoked, or if they had a license suspended. The bill requires the director to notify applicants in writing of denial reasons and their right to appeal within 30 days to an administrative hearing commission. The commission reviews whether the denial cause existed but cannot override the director’s judgment on the severity of the issue or consider rehabilitation. This law directly affects individuals seeking to become peace officers in the state, particularly non-citizens and those with prior license issues.