Sponsors (35)
The bill increases support for retired law-enforcement officers and their families by granting eligibility and retroactive claim rights for service-motivated targeted attacks, at the cost of higher potential federal payouts and a likely administrative surge that could delay other claims.
Retired law enforcement officers and their families become eligible for death and disability benefits if killed or permanently disabled by a targeted attack motivated by their prior service.
Provides retroactive coverage back to August 28, 2012 so previously denied or closed claims that meet the criteria can be reconsidered.
Clarifies eligibility rules for the Bureau of Justice Assistance, which may speed processing and reduce administrative disputes over retired-officer claims.
A retroactive expansion of eligibility could prompt a surge of claims that requires substantial administrative resources and delays adjudication of other pending claims.
Expanding benefit eligibility may increase federal payouts from the public safety officers' benefits program or require additional appropriations, raising costs for taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds retired law enforcement officers to the group eligible for the federal public safety officers' death benefits when their death or permanent and total disability is the direct and proximate result of a targeted attack motivated by their prior service. The bill defines "retired law enforcement officer" as someone who separated in good standing from a public agency, with or without compensation. The change takes effect on enactment, applies to claims filed or pending after enactment, and is retroactive for attacks on or after August 28, 2012, which may reopen or create additional claims for benefits under the Bureau of Justice Assistance program.
Introduced February 12, 2025 by Garland H. Barr · Last progress February 12, 2025