SERVICE Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 3312

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-02-24T09:05:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The SERVICE Act of 2025 aims to support veterans facing crises by authorizing a pilot program for grants that help law enforcement agencies create and operate specialized "veterans response teams." These teams focus on improving coordination between police, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and community resources to provide better assistance to veterans in mental health or legal emergencies.

Key Provisions

• Grant Authorization: The Attorney General, through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), can award grants to states, local governments, and Indian Tribal governments to establish veterans response teams in law enforcement agencies.
• Team Activities:
• Equip veteran law enforcement officers with identifying pins showing their military branch.
• Integrate VA's Veterans Re-Entry Search Service for tracking and support.
• Build communication systems with the VA and community agencies.
• Partner with VA Veterans Justice Outreach specialists, local courts (including veterans courts), and detention facilities to identify and refer veterans for services.
• Offer training for officers on veteran-specific mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, a condition triggered by traumatic experiences), traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety.
• Hold regular meetings to address community veteran issues and responses.
• Form volunteer 24/7 teams of first responders (police, fire, medical) for crisis calls involving veterans.
• Develop plans to measure team success and track best practices nationwide for handling veteran incidents.
• Provide ongoing contact options for veterans who interact with the team.
• Team Creation and Training:
• Identify a dedicated law enforcement leader and recruit interested officers and community members (e.g., from VA offices, nonprofits, hospitals, justice system entities).
• Engage the team in veteran community events and public outreach.
• Train team members and other officers on responding to veterans in crisis.
• Program Duration and Oversight:
• The pilot runs for 5 years from enactment, terminating afterward.
• The Attorney General must report to Congress on program metrics, including number of applicants, grants awarded, average grant amounts, and other relevant data.
• Funding: Uses existing funds from the COPS program (under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, subject to appropriations availability.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new pilot program under the existing COPS grant framework (34 U.S.C. 10381 et seq.), which previously supported general community policing but did not specifically target veterans response teams. It expands COPS funding to include veteran-specific initiatives without creating new mandatory spending, relying instead on discretionary appropriations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination between the Department of Justice (via COPS), VA, and local law enforcement, potentially reducing silos in veteran support services. Could lead to more efficient use of resources in handling veteran crises.
• On Citizens: Improves crisis response for veterans, particularly those with mental health needs, by providing specialized, trauma-informed policing. May reduce veteran involvement in the justice system through early interventions and referrals.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. law enforcement and veteran services.
• Broader Effects: Could foster nationwide best practices for veteran support, potentially lowering recidivism rates for justice-involved veterans and improving community trust in policing.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, gaining access to tailored crisis response, mental health support, and justice system navigation.
• Law Enforcement Agencies: Recipients of grants; must integrate teams, training, and partnerships, which could strain or enhance operations depending on resources.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Key partner for information sharing, referrals, and services; increased workload in coordinating with local teams.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Eligible for grants to implement programs, affecting public safety budgeting and services.
• Community Organizations: Nonprofits, hospitals, and veteran groups involved in team formation and ongoing support.
• Congress: Receives reports and oversees funding, influencing future veteran policy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Builds on existing federal grant authority without altering core statutes; emphasizes voluntary participation and data tracking, raising minor privacy considerations for veteran information sharing (e.g., under VA protocols). No new enforcement powers are granted.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to support state and local initiatives; promotes equal protection by addressing veteran-specific needs without discriminating against other groups.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) signals broad support for veteran issues. As a pilot, it allows testing before potential expansion, minimizing fiscal risks while highlighting community-oriented policing as a non-controversial priority. Success could influence future VA-Justice Department collaborations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5]

Cosponsors (23)

Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran In Critical Emergencies Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (6 pages)