Lawmakers Advance, Introduce Law Enforcement Focused Legislation During Police Week
During National Police Week, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed several law enforcement related bills. The full Senate also passed a resolution recognizing law enforcement and fallen officers introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and cosponsored by all 99 other U.S. Senators. In both the House of Representatives and the Senate, law enforcement legislation was also introduced.
During an executive business meeting on May 13, 2021, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the following law enforcement related bills:
S. 1511, Protecting America’s First Responders Act
S. 921, Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act
S. 1502, COPS Counseling Act
The Protecting America’s First Responders Act would make adjustments to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program to provide improved compensation to officers disabled in the line of duty. Currently, first responders can only receive program benefits if they are permanently barred from performing any compensated work due to a disability. Under this legislation, among other things, disabled first responders whose work is for therapeutic purposes, involves simple tasks, or provides special accommodations can still receive PSOB.
The Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act would close a loophole preventing the prosecution of crimes against officers injured abroad created by a recent District Court decision. The bill is named after Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agents Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila, who were injured while on duty in Mexico in an attack by drug cartel members. Special Agent Zapata died following the attack, but a federal appeals court ruled the district court lacked jurisdiction to prosecute the cartel members and dismissed the murder convictions. The legislation passed through the Judiciary Committee would extend federal district court jurisdiction over individuals who injured federal employees stationed overseas.
The Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support (COPS) Counseling Act would protect information disclosed in peer support counselling sessions with federal law enforcement in an effort to protect officer privacy and encourage officers to seek mental health services.
These bills passed through committee during Police Week and now head to the full Senate for consideration.
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) also applauded members of the House and Senate for introducing legislation aimed at various law enforcement priorities. According to a FLEOA release, FLEOA-supported legislation introduced during Police Week includes:
H.R. 3060, the "Putting First Responders First Act,” introduced by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC);
H.R. 3071, the "Public Safety Officer Support Act,” introduced by Rep. David Trone (D-MD);
H.R. 3079, the "Protect and Serve Act,” introduced by Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL);
H.R. 3080 & S. 1599, the "Back the Blue Act,” introduced by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX);
S. 1595, the "Thin Blue Line Act,” introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA); andS. 1597, the "Lifesaving Gear for Police Act,” introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).
S. 1649, a bill to to grant probation officers authority to arrest hostile third parties who obstruct or impede a probation officer in the performance of official duties, introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
FLEOA noted disappointment that no law enforcement focused legislation was actually passed into law or through the full House and Senate during Police Week – breaking from past years.
“Although none of these bills actually passed through the full Congress, a break with tradition, the above pieces of legislation were moved and positioned to potentially be advanced later this year. We are appreciative of the respective sponsors of these bills for their support and continued work advancing bills of important to our members and the law enforcement community,” FLEOA President Cosme said.