Bill would give families of fallen officers a 270-day claim deadline
In committeeS. 571Latest action
Sponsor: Ted Cruz · Senator · TX
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Officer John Barnes Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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S 571 requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance to decide public safety officer benefit claims within 270 days of application.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 571 would set a 270-day deadline for the Bureau of Justice Assistance to decide whether applicants qualify for the Public Safety Officers' Death and Disability Benefit Program. Currently, no legal deadline exists for how long that decision can take. The bill does not change eligibility requirements or payment amounts.
Who does it affect?
The bill primarily affects surviving family members of police officers, firefighters, and other public safety workers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. It also affects the Bureau of Justice Assistance, which administers the program.
Why does it matter?
Without a deadline, families have sometimes waited years for a decision, creating prolonged financial uncertainty after losing or seriously injured a family member in the line of duty. Setting a fixed timeframe would require the agency to act within about nine months of receiving a claim.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 13, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · Feb 13, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.