WASHINGTON – A bipartisan, bicameral group of
lawmakers this week introduced legislation to better ensure that law
enforcement and first responders who are disabled in the line of duty have
prompt access to the benefits they’ve been promised. The Protecting America’s First Responders Act was authored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa),
ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Kirsten Gillibrand
(D-N.Y.). Identical legislation in the
House of Representatives is led by Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D, N.J.-09) and Brian
Fitzpatrick (R, Penn.-01).
“Our
nation has long promised to support those who’ve sacrificed so much to
keep our communities safe. But time and again, families seeking federal death
or disability benefits face lengthy delays to hear back on their
claims, only to face inconsistent and absurd results. This bill
ensures that disability claims are adjudicated consistent with Congress’
original intent so that officers and their families can receive the
support they’ve been promised. The Senate
unanimously
passed an earlier version of this bill last Congress and I have worked with
my House counterparts to allow for quick passage in the House. Our first
responders can’t afford to wait any longer,”
Grassley said.
“During this
devastating pandemic, our nation’s first responders have stood heroically on
the frontlines keeping communities across America safe. These brave men and
women who put their lives on the line every day must have the utmost support
from the federal government, especially those who have made drastic sacrifices
in the line of duty,” said Rep. Pascrell, Co-Chair of the Congressional
Law Enforcement Caucus and Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “First responders constitute
both our first and last lines of defense. This much we know. What many don’t
know, however, are the struggles many first responders and their families deal
with after sustaining serious injuries or loss of life on the job. Our
legislation will directly assist those brave individuals struggling with
lasting impacts of service. I am committed to seeing it fully passed into law.”
“Every
community across our nation relies on the brave actions of the incredible women
and men who serve as police officers, firefighters, or EMS personnel. Each day,
they put their lives on the line to protect our community, and when we need
help, they answer our call. It is our duty to ensure those injured while
protecting our community have the financial support they need for themselves
and their family,” Fitzpatrick said.
Congress
established the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program (PSOB) program in 1976
to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who die in the line of duty.
Over the years, the law has been amended to provide disability and education
benefits, and to expand the pool of officers who are eligible for these
benefits. However, the program has been marked by delayed adjudication of death
and disability claims. In some cases, claims have taken years to process. A
lack of Justice Dept. guidelines for adjudicating disability claims has also
resulted inconsistent results.
To
address delays in processing claims, the bill expands DOJ’s subpoena authority
to more efficiently secure records needed to evaluate claims.
Under
the current program, disability or death benefits are provided in the form of a
one-time lump sum payment, which is adjusted yearly based on the consumer price
index. Benefits may also be issued to a surviving spouse or children in the
form of monthly education assistance. The Protecting America’s First
Responders Act requires the benefit award amount to be based on the
date of the adjudication rather than the date of the injury to account for
increases in the cost of living that may occur during lengthy adjudication periods.
The bill
is cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sheldon
Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) Steve Daines
(R-Mont.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Richard
Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
The
House bill is cosponsored by Reps. Joe Courtney (D, Conn.-02), John Rutherford
(R, Fla.-04), Julia Brownley (D, Calif-26), Markwayne Mullin (R, Okla.-02), Tom
O’Halleran (D, Ariz.-01), Andrew Garbarino (R, N.Y.-02) and Don Bacon (R, Neb.-02).
The Protecting
America’s First Responders Act is
endorsed by:
·
Federal
Law Enforcement Officers Association
·
Fraternal
Order of Police
·
How2LoveOurCops
·
International
Association of Fire Chiefs
·
National
Association of Police Organizations
·
National
Association of School Resource Officers
·
National
Volunteer Fire Council
·
Wounded
Blue
-30-