Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026

Bill Number: S. 3897
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-05-19: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 416.
Last Updated: 2026-06-10T11:03:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill revises administrative procedures for the Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It aims to improve claim processing efficiency, provide interim support during delays, enhance transparency for backlogged cases, and implement prior oversight recommendations.

Key Provisions

Eligibility Determinations and Processing Timelines: Amends rules for notifying claimants of missing information within 90 days and requires a final determination within 270 days after receiving all required information. Failure to meet the 270-day deadline triggers a single interim benefit payment.
Interim Benefits: Provides for interim payments (credited against final awards) to undisputed beneficiaries or into escrow, with protections against recoupment except in fraud cases. Provision of interim benefits counts as notice of determination.
Outreach and Reporting: Mandates ongoing outreach to public safety officers, underserved agencies, and organizations supporting disabled officers and families. Requires submission of backlogged claims summaries to Senate and House Judiciary Committees and annual audits by the Comptroller General of the United States.
Subpoena Authority: Strengthens requirements for the Bureau to issue subpoenas to public agencies for necessary information after 30 days (with possible 60-day extensions).
Definitions and Technical Fixes: Updates terminology (e.g., correcting "parapalegic" to "paraplegic") and defines "gainful work" by reference to specific federal regulations.
Expedited Approvals: Requires the Bureau to approve certain claims related to September 11th Victim Compensation Fund or World Trade Center Health Program certifications, absent clear contrary evidence.
GAO Implementation: Directs the Attorney General to ensure the Bureau of Justice Assistance implements recommendations from a 2024 Government Accountability Office report on program transparency and management.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces mandatory timelines, notices, and interim payments not previously required in the Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program.
Adds subpoena enforcement mechanisms and annual independent audits of long-pending claims.
Establishes presumptive approval pathways for claims tied to specific post-9/11 health and compensation programs.
Removes prior proposals for partial disability benefits and limits the scope to administrative and procedural reforms.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Bureau of Justice Assistance through new notice, payment, outreach, and reporting duties; requires coordination with the Comptroller General for audits.
Citizens: Accelerates access to benefits for eligible public safety officers and families via interim payments and faster decisions; improves awareness through targeted outreach.
International Relations: No direct effects identified.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Public safety officers and their dependents or beneficiaries.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (within the Department of Justice).
Public safety agencies that provide claim-related information.
Congressional Judiciary Committees.
The Comptroller General of the United States.
Organizations representing public safety personnel and families of fallen officers.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The legislation strengthens administrative accountability and due process elements in federal benefits administration without altering eligibility criteria or creating new entitlements. It responds to identified program management issues through procedural mandates and oversight mechanisms. The bill maintains a focus on domestic public safety support and shows bipartisan sponsorship.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Cosponsors (14)

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Recent Actions

2026-05-19: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 416.
2026-05-19: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-05-19: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-05-14: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2026-02-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2026-02-24: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-24 — PDF (16 pages)
Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (26 pages)