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Adds a new paragraph (4) to subsection (b) requiring the Bureau to, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, approve claims under section 1201(a) if the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 or the World Trade Center Health Program provides a certification that the claim is eligible for VCF death benefits or that the claimant's death was caused by a WTC Health Program–related condition.
Adds a new subsection (c) providing benefits for public safety officers who become permanently but not totally disabled and makes various conforming and redesignation amendments throughout section 1201 and related provisions to account for the new subsection; increases cross-references to include the new subsection and replaces prior subsection lettering in multiple places.
Amends section 1206(b) (34 U.S.C. 10288(b)) by modifying paragraph formatting: striking and inserting punctuation and adding a new paragraph (3) requiring the Bureau to issue a subpoena to a public agency that fails to provide requested information within 30 days unless an extension up to 60 days is approved.
Amends section 1204 (34 U.S.C. 10284) by correcting a typographical error, redesignating paragraphs, inserting a definition for "complete claim", and adding a definition for "gainful work" referencing 20 C.F.R. section 416.972.
Amends 28 U.S.C. 1863(b)(5)(B) by updating a cross-reference: striking "section 1203(6)" and inserting "section 1204".
Makes several changes to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program to speed decisions, expand who can receive payments, and improve oversight. It sets deadlines for claim notices and determinations, creates a new partial permanent disability benefit worth half the full amount, gives weight to certain World Trade Center and 9/11 fund certifications for death claims, requires GAO-related reforms to be implemented, and preserves existing dependent education benefit scope.
The bill speeds, clarifies, and increases short‑term financial support and oversight for public safety officer benefit claims—improving timely relief for many claimants and families—while raising risks of higher program costs, potential improper payments, administrative burdens, and limits on long‑s
Public safety officers, claimants, and families will receive clearer, faster claims handling and notice timelines (defined 'complete claim', required 90-day notice for missing info, 270-day determinations), reducing surprise delays and uncertainty in benefit decisions.
Claimants can get interim cash while claims are pending (one-time interim payment if the Bureau misses the 270‑day deadline; interim payments up to $6,000), and interim payments generally cannot be clawed back except for fraud, providing short-term financial relief and predictability.
Public safety officers with permanent but not total line-of-duty disabilities become eligible for ongoing partial benefits (50% of the full PSOB benefit at injury date) and can receive the full benefit if their condition worsens to permanent total disability within three years.
Families whose loved ones’ deaths are certified by the VCF or WTCHP will get faster, simpler approvals and payments because those certifications carry decisive weight and reduce repeated documentation.
Interim payments are limited (one-time payment if deadline missed and a $6,000 cap on interim payments), which may be insufficient for many claimants facing large medical or living expenses while waiting for final decisions.
Prior partial disability payments can reduce survivor death benefits if the death is from the same injury, which may lower payouts to families of deceased public safety officers.
Expedited timelines and deference to external certifications (VCF/WTCHP) do not change statutory eligibility rules—so applicants who are ineligible can still be denied, and conversely, limited Bureau ability to challenge certifications could lead to mistaken or fraudulent certifications being paid, increasing improper payments or taxpayer cost.
New procedural requirements (30‑day subpoena deadlines, GAO audits, and an 180‑day AG implementation deadline) and statutory adjustments may impose administrative burdens, require new funding or staff reallocation, and could cause rushed, inconsistent, or costly short‑term implementation.
Designates the Act's official short title as the "Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026."
Amends 34 U.S.C. 10285 (section 1205) to add new subsection (f) establishing notice, interim benefits, timing, and related rules.
Requires the Bureau to notify a claimant or the relevant agency of any missing information within 90 calendar days after receiving a claim.
Requires the Bureau to inform a claimant of its determination on benefit eligibility not later than 270 calendar days after receiving a complete claim.
Deems provision of interim benefits under section 1201(d) to constitute compliance with the 270-day notice requirement.
Who is affected and how:
Public safety officers (particularly firefighters and law enforcement): Front-line responders and first responders injured or killed on duty stand to receive faster decisions and a new payment option if they are permanently but not totally disabled. The partial-benefit option provides an immediate, measurable payment (half the full amount) with a path to full benefits if conditions worsen.
Survivors and dependents: Families of officers may see faster death-benefit approvals when the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund or World Trade Center Health Program certifies eligibility, reducing wait times for payments. The law also preserves existing dependent education benefit scope so no new dependent educational entitlements are created.
Program administrators (DOJ, Bureau of Justice Assistance, PSOB Bureau): Agencies will face new deadlines, GAO audits, reporting and outreach duties, and a directive to implement GAO recommendations—likely increasing administrative workload and requiring process changes. Strengthened subpoena powers and clearer timelines aim to speed evidence collection and determinations.
GAO and oversight functions: Annual audits of long-pending claims and mandated implementation of GAO recommendations increase oversight and may drive further reforms.
Budget and fiscal effects: Expanding benefit eligibility and adding interim/partial payments are likely to increase program outlays over time. The text does not specify new appropriations; any increased costs would need funding through existing or future appropriations. Administrative improvements could offset some costs by reducing delays and appeals.
Legal and evidentiary effects: Giving decisive weight to VCF/WTCHP certifications lowers the evidentiary burden for many death claims and may reduce litigation for those cases, while the clause allowing denial only on clear and convincing evidence raises the threshold for disputing those certifications.
Overall effect: The legislation is focused on speeding decisions, expanding limited benefit eligibility, and strengthening oversight and program management. It benefits eligible officers and survivors by improving timeliness and adding a partial-disability payment, but increases administrative duties and likely raises program costs without an explicit appropriation in the text.
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Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Randy Weber · Last progress February 25, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House