Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act This bill updates the staffing and responsibilities of police forces of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to ensure that each of its police forces designates an employee to serve as a point of contact for its employees and the public regarding (1) statistical information (e.g., the use of force and weapons discharge), (2) complaints and investigations regarding officers at the facility, and (3) the provision of information to a person regarding personal arrest or other police matters. The bill also requires the VA to provide information on the public websites of police facilities regarding specified statistical information and directions on how to contact the point of contact or receive information about specific matters. The VA must provide annual training on (1) recognizing, defining, understanding, and avoiding racial profiling and implicit bias and best practices regarding the duty to intervene; and (2) preventing suicide among the population served by police officers. Finally, the bill requires VA police officers to wear body cameras that have a field of view at least as broad as the officers' vision and capture footage of the officers' activities. The audio and video of the camera must be activated whenever an officer is responding to a call for service or other stop, except in situations where it is impossible or dangerous for the officer to do so. The VA's guidance on body cameras must be made publicly available.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Committee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Committee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Armed Forces and National Security
Congressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEmployee hiringEmployment and training programsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersMental healthPhotography and imagingRacial and ethnic relationsVeterans' medical care
VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act
USA116th CongressHR-7784| House
| Updated: 10/6/2020
VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act This bill updates the staffing and responsibilities of police forces of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to ensure that each of its police forces designates an employee to serve as a point of contact for its employees and the public regarding (1) statistical information (e.g., the use of force and weapons discharge), (2) complaints and investigations regarding officers at the facility, and (3) the provision of information to a person regarding personal arrest or other police matters. The bill also requires the VA to provide information on the public websites of police facilities regarding specified statistical information and directions on how to contact the point of contact or receive information about specific matters. The VA must provide annual training on (1) recognizing, defining, understanding, and avoiding racial profiling and implicit bias and best practices regarding the duty to intervene; and (2) preventing suicide among the population served by police officers. Finally, the bill requires VA police officers to wear body cameras that have a field of view at least as broad as the officers' vision and capture footage of the officers' activities. The audio and video of the camera must be activated whenever an officer is responding to a call for service or other stop, except in situations where it is impossible or dangerous for the officer to do so. The VA's guidance on body cameras must be made publicly available.
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Armed Forces and National Security
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Congressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEmployee hiringEmployment and training programsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersMental healthPhotography and imagingRacial and ethnic relationsVeterans' medical care