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Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9845| House 
| Updated: 7/22/2026
J. Luis Correa

J. Luis Correa

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (20)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Mark Alford (Republican)James R. Walkinshaw (Democratic)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Thomas H. Kean (Republican)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Christopher H. Smith (Republican)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Adam Gray (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to simplify the claim process for beneficiaries of public safety officers who die from a heart attack or stroke, ensuring they can more easily receive payments through the Public Safety Officer Benefit program. It specifically targets provisions within the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 that have historically complicated such claims. The bill removes a key exclusionary clause that previously denied benefits if a heart attack or stroke was deemed to be caused by the "mere presence of cardiovascular-disease risk factors." Furthermore, it extends the critical window for a duty-related incident to be linked to a fatal cardiac event from 24 hours to 72 hours , providing a more reasonable timeframe for establishing causality. These changes are intended to alleviate the burden on grieving families. Importantly, these amendments will apply to all claims for benefits that are either pending or filed on or after the date of the Act's enactment, ensuring a broad and immediate impact on eligible beneficiaries.
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Timeline
Jul 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • July 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 22, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9845| House 
| Updated: 7/22/2026
This legislation aims to simplify the claim process for beneficiaries of public safety officers who die from a heart attack or stroke, ensuring they can more easily receive payments through the Public Safety Officer Benefit program. It specifically targets provisions within the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 that have historically complicated such claims. The bill removes a key exclusionary clause that previously denied benefits if a heart attack or stroke was deemed to be caused by the "mere presence of cardiovascular-disease risk factors." Furthermore, it extends the critical window for a duty-related incident to be linked to a fatal cardiac event from 24 hours to 72 hours , providing a more reasonable timeframe for establishing causality. These changes are intended to alleviate the burden on grieving families. Importantly, these amendments will apply to all claims for benefits that are either pending or filed on or after the date of the Act's enactment, ensuring a broad and immediate impact on eligible beneficiaries.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • July 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 22, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
J. Luis Correa

J. Luis Correa

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (20)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Mark Alford (Republican)James R. Walkinshaw (Democratic)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Thomas H. Kean (Republican)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Christopher H. Smith (Republican)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Adam Gray (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted