Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1236
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-07T08:05:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 aims to expand federal death and disability benefits to certain retired law enforcement officers who suffer injury or death due to targeted attacks linked to their prior service, ensuring they receive the same protections as active officers under the public safety officers' benefits program.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility for Benefits: Adds a new subsection to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, making retired law enforcement officers eligible for benefits if they die or become permanently and totally disabled (unable to work in any job) as a direct result of a personal injury from a targeted attack motivated by their past service as a law enforcement officer.
- Definition of Retired Officer: A "retired law enforcement officer" is defined as someone who left service in good standing (without misconduct leading to dismissal) from a public agency, either paid or unpaid.
- Retroactive Application: The changes apply from the date of enactment but extend back to actions occurring on or after August 28, 2012. They cover pending claims before the Bureau of Justice Assistance (the federal agency handling these benefits) and any new claims filed afterward, with limited exceptions for pre-2012 cases.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, the public safety officers' death benefits program (under 34 U.S.C. § 10281) primarily covered active-duty public safety officers, such as police and firefighters. This bill introduces coverage for retirees, broadening the program's scope to recognize ongoing risks from past service.
- It specifies that benefits apply only to "targeted attacks" (deliberate assaults aimed at the officer due to their role), adding a causal link requirement not explicitly detailed for retirees before.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Bureau of Justice Assistance may see an increase in claim processing and payouts (up to $389,947 per eligible case as of current program levels, adjusted for inflation), potentially requiring additional administrative resources or funding from Congress.
- On Citizens: Provides financial support (one-time lump-sum payments) to families or disabled retired officers, offering security for those facing risks post-retirement; could encourage more individuals to pursue law enforcement careers by highlighting long-term protections.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. law enforcement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Retired Law Enforcement Officers and Their Families: Primary beneficiaries, gaining access to death or disability benefits for service-related attacks.
- Active Law Enforcement Agencies and Unions: Indirectly affected, as the expansion may influence recruitment, retention, and morale by extending protections to post-career life.
- Federal Government (Bureau of Justice Assistance): Responsible for administering and funding the expanded program.
- Survivors of Specific Incidents: Retroactivity could aid families of officers harmed since 2012, such as the bill's namesake, Chief Herbert D. Proffitt.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens equal protection under federal benefits law by addressing a gap for retirees, potentially reducing litigation over denied claims; retroactivity ensures fairness for past cases without violating statutes of limitations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Article I, Section 8) by supporting public safety personnel, with no apparent conflicts to due process or equal protection principles.
- Political: Named after a fallen officer, the bill reflects bipartisan support (introduced by Reps. Barr and Goldman) to honor law enforcement sacrifices, possibly signaling broader congressional efforts to enhance officer safety amid rising attacks on police; could set precedent for expanding benefits to other retired public servants.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (34)
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-12 — PDF (3 pages)