In honor of National Police Week, the House passed the Recruit and Retain Act, S. 546, with a strong bipartisan 370-18 vote, sending it to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The bill passed the Senate in July 2023.  NAPO worked closely with Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) in drafting this important bill, which will allow law enforcement agencies experiencing recruitment difficulties to use COPS Hiring funds to help reduce or pay for application-related fees, such as background checks, psychological evaluations, and testing. It also allows COPS Hiring funds to be used to help law enforcement agencies establish a Pipeline Partnership with primary schools, secondary schools, community colleges, and universities to cultivate relationships to increase recruitment and interest in the profession.

In a significant victory for NAPO, the House passed the LEOSA Reform Act, H.R. 354, with a bipartisan vote of 221-185 on May 16. NAPO worked with members of Congress to enact the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) in 2004 to allow well-qualified off-duty and retired officers to carry their firearms to protect themselves, their families, and our nation’s communities. The LEOSA Reform Act would expand the areas qualified current or retired officers are allowed to carry a firearm, including in a Gun Free School Zone; on state, local and private property otherwise open to the public; and in certain federal facilities. It will allow qualified officers and retired officers to carry an ammunition magazine of any capacity that is not prohibited by federal law. Importantly, it will reform qualifications standards to alleviate undue burdens for those carrying under LEOSA.

On May 15, the House passed the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act (H.R. 7581) by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 356-55. NAPO supports this bill as it would build on existing reporting requirements and fill data gaps to increase our understanding of the circumstances precipitating and involving ambush-style attacks against law enforcement. The bill would also require a report on the stresses and mental health toll these assaults have on officers and the extent to which mental health and wellness programs provided are meeting the needs of officers.

On May 16, in honor of National Police Week, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved two NAPO priority bills: S. 930, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, and S. 4235, the Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act of 2024. Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes exposure-related cancers as line of duty injuries under the Department of Justice Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program. Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act of 2024 will reauthorize essential grant funding for law enforcement support services, including the establishment of suicide-prevention programs and mental health services and supports for law enforcement officers and their families.

Just in time for National Police Week, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) reintroduced NAPO priority legislation, the Protect and Serve Act (S. 4258), on May 2. This bill would support law enforcement officers by making it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. Offenders are subject to imprisonment for up to 10 years. The bill would also impose up to a life sentence if a death results from the offense, or the offense includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder.

Click here for more details on these and other legislative issues in the May 17, 2024 Washington Report.