This week, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) saw their bipartisan bill that seeks to improve public safety signed into law. The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act will fund training programs to help law enforcement better recognize, understand and assist individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“I’m glad our bipartisan TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act has been signed into law. It will help provide training to law enforcement on how to recognize symptoms of traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder so they can better assist people with these conditions, which in turn will help improve public safety. I’m grateful for police and all first responders who are willing to confront unpredictable emergency situations in service to their communities,” Grassley said.
“I am pleased the president has signed into law my legislation funding local law enforcement and mental health care. Georgia communities deserve and demand safety, and my bill — now law — will make Georgia a safer place to live,” Ossoff said.
The law will fund new training programs to help first responders better recognize and assist individuals with PTSD or a TBI, which contribute to approximately three million emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths each year. These trainings would be included in the Police Mental Health Collaboration Kit – a no-cost training tool that provides resources for law enforcement agencies to effectively respond to calls for service.
Grassley and Ossoff’s bill is widely supported by law enforcement and mental health organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), National Sheriffs Association (NSA), Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD (SBA), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA), Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act passed the Senate with bipartisan support earlier this month. Full text of the bill is available HERE.
