Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2830
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T08:07:48Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to improve the health and safety of public safety officers by requiring the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to gather and share information on concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These are types of head injuries that can result from work-related activities like firefighting or law enforcement. The goal is to enhance diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and awareness to reduce the risks and effects of these injuries.
Key Provisions
- Collection of Information: HHS, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), must collect and publicly release data on concussions and TBIs among public safety officers. This includes research on proven (evidence-based) practices, recommendations for personal protective equipment (like helmets or gear to prevent head injuries), and medical details on diagnosing, identifying, treating, and preventing these injuries.
- Dissemination Methods:
- Update the CDC's website on TBIs to include this new information.
- Create additional ways to share the information with specific groups, such as:
- Medical and public health professionals to improve care for affected officers.
- Public safety employers and worker representatives to develop better safety strategies.
- Mental health professionals to understand links between head injuries and issues like stress disorders, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts.
- Patients (public safety officers) and their families to raise awareness and guide them to specialists.
- Universities, medical schools, public health programs, and researchers for education and further study.
- Consult with these groups to ensure the information is useful, accurate, and relevant.
- Partner with nonprofits, labor unions, government entities, and media for broader outreach.
- Support for Guidelines: HHS can fund public and private initiatives through grants, contracts, or agreements to create model guidelines, protocols (step-by-step plans), and evidence-based practices for treating concussions and TBIs in public safety officers.
- Definition: "Public safety officer" refers to roles like firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders, as defined in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (a law covering crime control and public safety funding).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Part J of Title III of the Public Health Service Act (a major U.S. law governing public health programs) by adding a new section (393E). Previously, there was no specific federal mandate for HHS to focus on collecting and sharing concussion and TBI information tailored to public safety officers. This introduces targeted requirements for data collection, website updates, and targeted dissemination, building on existing CDC efforts for general TBI awareness.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS and the CDC will need to allocate resources for data collection, website maintenance, consultations, and potential grant funding, which could strain budgets but improve public health coordination.
- On Citizens: Public safety officers and their families may benefit from better access to specialized care, prevention tools, and awareness, potentially leading to fewer long-term health issues and improved mental health support. Broader public awareness could indirectly enhance community safety.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic public health and safety.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Public Safety Officers: Direct beneficiaries through improved injury prevention, treatment, and support.
- Employers and Unions: Fire departments, police agencies, and worker representatives who can adopt better safety practices.
- Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, public health experts, and mental health providers who will receive tailored resources to enhance care.
- Families and Communities: Gaining awareness to support affected officers and understand injury effects.
- Researchers and Educators: Universities and medical schools that can use the data for training and studies.
- HHS and CDC: Responsible for implementation, including funding and partnerships.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill expands HHS's role under existing public health laws without creating new enforcement mechanisms or penalties, relying on voluntary adoption of guidelines. It aligns with federal authority over public health under the Constitution's spending power (ability to fund programs).
- Constitutional: No significant challenges; it promotes general welfare without infringing on individual rights or state powers, as public safety is a shared federal-state concern.
- Political: Supports bipartisan interest in first responder health (introduced by members from both parties), potentially influencing future funding for occupational safety. It could set a precedent for addressing work-related injuries in high-risk professions without major controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (5 pages)