Invest to Protect Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2711
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T08:07:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Invest to Protect Act of 2025" aims to create a federal grant program to support small local law enforcement agencies—those with fewer than 175 officers, including Tribal governments—by funding training programs, mental health resources, and efforts to recruit and retain officers. The goal is to enhance officer safety, community safety, and effective policing in underserved areas.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Key terms include "de-escalation training" (techniques to calm situations and avoid or reduce force), "eligible local government" (small counties, cities, towns, or Tribal governments with under 175 officers), and "law enforcement officer" (full-time career officers as defined in existing federal law).
- Grant Program Establishment: Administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in the Department of Justice (DOJ), the program provides grants for officer training, mental health access, and recruitment/retention initiatives. Grants must be awarded within 120 days of the law's enactment.
- Application Process: The Attorney General must identify barriers to applying and submit a report within 60 days of enactment outlining a streamlined process (completable in 2 hours or less). This includes pre-application guidance and technical support via dedicated liaisons in COPS.
- Eligible Uses of Funds:
- Training in de-escalation, handling domestic violence (victim-focused), and safety for scenarios like active shooters, drug handling, rescues, ambushes, or responses to people with mental health issues, substance use, disabilities, veteran status, youth vulnerabilities, homelessness, or poverty.
- Covering overtime costs for training participation.
- Signing bonuses for new officers and retention bonuses (up to 20% of salary) for experienced officers (5+ years, no serious misconduct, 3-year commitment).
- Stipends up to $10,000 for officers pursuing graduate education in mental health, public health, or social work.
- Mental health services for officers, including trauma care, peer support, counseling, family resources, and telehealth access.
- Training on use of force (lethal and nonlethal), duty to intervene (stepping in to stop misconduct), and data collection on policing practices.
- Reporting and Oversight:
- Grant recipients must report on program use, with requirements tailored to small agencies' limited resources.
- Bonuses must be disclosed publicly and reported annually to Congress.
- DOJ's Inspector General conducts audits to prevent waste, fraud, or abuse; grantees with unresolved issues (e.g., improper spending not fixed within 12 months) are barred from future grants for 3 years and must repay funds.
- Annual certifications to Congress on audit completion, exclusions, and reimbursements.
- Annual evaluation of program effectiveness based on recipient data.
- Checks to avoid duplicative grants; reports to Congress if similar funding is awarded elsewhere in DOJ.
- Funding: Up to $50 million authorized annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill establishes a new grant program within the existing COPS Office framework, adding targeted funding for small agencies that was not previously available at this scale or specificity. It builds on the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by incorporating its definition of law enforcement officers but introduces novel elements like streamlined applications, bonus disclosures, and strict audit exclusions to enhance accountability. No direct amendments to prior laws are made, but it expands DOJ's role in supporting localized police reforms.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Small local and Tribal law enforcement agencies gain access to federal funds to address staffing shortages and training gaps, potentially reducing burnout and improving operational efficiency. The DOJ and COPS Office will face increased administrative duties, including application support, audits, and reporting.
- On Citizens: Communities served by small agencies may benefit from better-trained officers who are more equipped to handle sensitive situations (e.g., mental health crises or domestic violence), leading to safer interactions and reduced use of force. Mental health support for officers could indirectly improve response times and service quality.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic law enforcement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Small Law Enforcement Agencies: Primary beneficiaries, including rural, suburban, and Tribal police departments with limited resources.
- Law Enforcement Officers: Gain training opportunities, bonuses, stipends, and mental health support to aid recruitment, retention, and well-being.
- Communities and Vulnerable Populations: Residents in areas served by small agencies, particularly those facing mental health, substance use, or domestic violence issues, who may experience improved policing.
- Federal Entities: DOJ (including COPS and Inspector General) for program administration and oversight; Congress for reporting and appropriations.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through authorized federal spending.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens grant accountability with mandatory audits and penalties for misuse, promoting transparency and reducing fraud risks. The focus on evidence-based training aligns with broader police reform efforts but ties funding to specific, measurable activities.
- Constitutional: Supports the federal government's role in public safety under the general welfare clause, without infringing on state or local authority over policing. No apparent challenges to free speech, due process, or equal protection.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) signals cross-aisle support for investing in law enforcement amid ongoing debates on police reform and officer shortages. The emphasis on small agencies could appeal to rural and Tribal interests, potentially influencing future appropriations debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Cosponsors (49)
Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4], Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Invest to Protect Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (13 pages)