Legis Daily

Protecting America’s First Responders Act

USA116th CongressS-1208| Senate 
| Updated: 5/31/2019
Chuck Grassley

Chuck Grassley

Republican Senator

Iowa

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Jon Tester (Democratic)Steve Daines (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protecting America's First Responders Act This bill revises the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program. The program provides disability benefits to public safety officers who are injured in the line of duty and provides death and education benefits to survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty. Specifically, the bill revises the payment amount of disability benefits for claims pending for more than one year. The amount must be based on the date of the adjudication of such claim rather than the date of the injury. The bill also increases the interim benefit payment amount and adjusts it based on the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, the payment amount of death benefits must be the greater of (1) the amount payable as of the date of the public safety officer's death, or (2) the amount payable based on the date of the adjudication of the claim. Currently, such amount is based only on the date of death. Next, the bill includes within the definition of firefighter for purposes of benefits an individual whose primary duty during an emergency response is to secure the scene or manage traffic. Further, the bill allows applicants who were denied benefits in the previous three years to reapply for benefits. The Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) must use all available investigative tools, including subpoenas, to (1) expedite the processing of a claimant's eligibility for a death, disability, or education benefit; and (2) obtain necessary information from third parties (e.g., public agencies). DOJ must provide retroactive educational assistance to eligible survivors of public safety officers. In addition, DOJ must collect data on law enforcement officers who were killed or permanently disabled while on duty. The Government Accountability Office must report on the average medical costs incurred by a disabled law enforcement officer over the officer's lifetime.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

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Timeline
Apr 11, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Apr 11, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 9, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 13, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
May 13, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.
May 16, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 16, 2019
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)
May 16, 2019
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)
May 16, 2019
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
May 16, 2019
Received in the House.
May 31, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jun 26, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2812
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • April 11, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 11, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 9, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • May 13, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • May 13, 2019
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.


  • May 16, 2019
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 16, 2019
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)


  • May 16, 2019
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)


  • May 16, 2019
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • May 16, 2019
    Received in the House.


  • May 31, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.


  • June 26, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2812
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2812: Protecting America’s First Responders Act
  • HR 116-2709: Fire Police Fairness Act
Administrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesCensus and government statisticsCongressional oversightDepartment of JusticeDisability assistanceEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee benefits and pensionsFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care costs and insuranceHealth personnelHigher educationLaw enforcement officersStudent aid and college costsViolent crimeWorker safety and health

Protecting America’s First Responders Act

USA116th CongressS-1208| Senate 
| Updated: 5/31/2019
Protecting America's First Responders Act This bill revises the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program. The program provides disability benefits to public safety officers who are injured in the line of duty and provides death and education benefits to survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty. Specifically, the bill revises the payment amount of disability benefits for claims pending for more than one year. The amount must be based on the date of the adjudication of such claim rather than the date of the injury. The bill also increases the interim benefit payment amount and adjusts it based on the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, the payment amount of death benefits must be the greater of (1) the amount payable as of the date of the public safety officer's death, or (2) the amount payable based on the date of the adjudication of the claim. Currently, such amount is based only on the date of death. Next, the bill includes within the definition of firefighter for purposes of benefits an individual whose primary duty during an emergency response is to secure the scene or manage traffic. Further, the bill allows applicants who were denied benefits in the previous three years to reapply for benefits. The Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) must use all available investigative tools, including subpoenas, to (1) expedite the processing of a claimant's eligibility for a death, disability, or education benefit; and (2) obtain necessary information from third parties (e.g., public agencies). DOJ must provide retroactive educational assistance to eligible survivors of public safety officers. In addition, DOJ must collect data on law enforcement officers who were killed or permanently disabled while on duty. The Government Accountability Office must report on the average medical costs incurred by a disabled law enforcement officer over the officer's lifetime.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 11, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Apr 11, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 9, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 13, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
May 13, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.
May 16, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 16, 2019
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)
May 16, 2019
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)
May 16, 2019
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
May 16, 2019
Received in the House.
May 31, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jun 26, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2812
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • April 11, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 11, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 9, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • May 13, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • May 13, 2019
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.


  • May 16, 2019
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 16, 2019
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)


  • May 16, 2019
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2893-2895; text: CR 5/20/2019 S2981-2982)


  • May 16, 2019
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • May 16, 2019
    Received in the House.


  • May 31, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.


  • June 26, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2812
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Chuck Grassley

Chuck Grassley

Republican Senator

Iowa

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Jon Tester (Democratic)Steve Daines (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2812: Protecting America’s First Responders Act
  • HR 116-2709: Fire Police Fairness Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesCensus and government statisticsCongressional oversightDepartment of JusticeDisability assistanceEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee benefits and pensionsFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care costs and insuranceHealth personnelHigher educationLaw enforcement officersStudent aid and college costsViolent crimeWorker safety and health