National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act.
- Bill Number
- S. 3719
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-28: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T11:03:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to provide federal funding to support the operations and enhancement of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC. It focuses on honoring fallen law enforcement officers, educating the public about their role in society, improving community relations with law enforcement, and promoting officer safety and wellness. This addresses challenges like high line-of-duty deaths, officer shortages, and the need for greater public trust in law enforcement.
Key Provisions
- Grant Authorization (Section 3): For the first 7 fiscal years after enactment, the Secretary of the Interior must award an annual grant to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (the nonprofit that operates the Museum) to cover expenses for operating the Museum and expanding its programs. Eligible programs include:
- Memorializing officers who die in the line of duty and tracking related statistics.
- Developing educational resources (e.g., digital, print, and traveling exhibits) on law enforcement history, community policing, and officer safety.
- Expanding collections, research, exhibitions, and professional development (e.g., workshops and teacher training).
- Engaging schools and communities to integrate these topics into curricula.
- Innovating and evaluating new approaches to improve the Museum and officer wellness.
- Providing free admission for active/retired officers, families of fallen officers, and dedicated free public hours weekly.
- Creating online resources for public and research use.
- Reporting Requirements (Section 4): The Memorial Fund must submit annual progress reports to the Secretary detailing program achievements and federal fund expenditures. The Secretary must forward these to Congress and post them publicly on the Department of the Interior's website.
- Continuation of Activities (Section 5): Funding can support ongoing Museum activities that align with the bill's goals.
- Funding Authorization (Section 6): $6,000,000 is authorized annually for 7 years to the Secretary for these purposes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Builds on prior laws like Public Law 98-534 (1984, authorizing the Memorial) and Public Law 106-492 (2000, authorizing the Museum's construction on federal land), both of which relied entirely on private funding.
- Introduces the first federal operational funding for the Museum, shifting from fully private support to a hybrid model with limited-term grants. No changes to the Memorial Fund's overall authority or the Museum's private construction/ownership status.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior gains administrative responsibilities for granting funds and reporting to Congress, potentially increasing oversight workload but with a defined 7-year limit.
- Citizens and Communities: Enhances public education on law enforcement's role, fosters better community-law enforcement relations, and promotes officer safety, which could reduce line-of-duty risks and build public trust amid staffing shortages and high death rates.
- Law Enforcement: Provides resources for training, wellness programs, and morale-boosting initiatives, potentially aiding recruitment/retention in understaffed agencies and supporting nationwide efforts to lower injuries and fatalities.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill is focused on domestic U.S. law enforcement history and operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: Primary beneficiary, receiving grants to sustain and expand Museum programs.
- Law Enforcement Agencies and Officers: Federal, state, local, and tribal entities benefit from safety training, outreach, and commemoration efforts; officers and their families gain free access and support resources.
- Public and Educators: General public, schools, and communities receive free/expanded educational access, promoting understanding and integration into school curricula.
- Department of the Interior and Congress: Handle funding distribution, reporting, and oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a temporary federal grant program without creating permanent entitlements, ensuring accountability through required reports and audits. Aligns with congressional authority to fund educational and commemorative initiatives on federal land.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; supports free speech and assembly by enhancing public education on civic roles, without restricting rights. Funding a nonprofit on federal property is consistent with precedents for public-private partnerships.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support (introduced by Sens. Tillis and Blumenthal) for law enforcement amid debates on policing reforms and shortages. Could influence public discourse on officer safety and community trust, but the 7-year sunset clause limits long-term fiscal commitment.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-28: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-01-28: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act. — issued 2026-01-28 — PDF (12 pages)