Technical corrections only. The diff updates the legislative status information, reflecting the bill's passage in the House and subsequent referral to the Senate. No substantive policy changes were made between v3 and v4.
Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 19, 2025
Bottom line
The bill requires the Attorney General to conduct comprehensive studies on violence against law enforcement, data collection methods, and officer mental health to identify needs and recommend improvements.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Attorney General, in consultation with the FBI and National Institute of Justice, to produce three distinct reports within 270 days of enactment. These reports will analyze data gaps related to violent attacks and aggressive actions against law enforcement officers, assess existing training and protective gear programs, and evaluate the mental health and wellness resources available to officers. The goal is to inform future legislative and programmatic efforts to enhance officer safety and well-being.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that there is a critical need for more comprehensive and granular data on attacks and aggression against law enforcement officers, as current reporting systems do not capture the full scope of incidents or their impact. Proponents contend that better data will enable more effective resource allocation, targeted training programs, and improved mental health support, ultimately enhancing officer safety and wellness. They emphasize the importance of demonstrating respect and value for law enforcement.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the intent is laudable, requiring extensive new reports could impose significant administrative burdens on federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, diverting resources from active policing. Concerns could also be raised about the feasibility of standardizing definitions for 'aggressive actions' or 'trauma-inducing incidents' that do not rise to the level of crimes, potentially leading to inconsistent or subjective reporting. Some may also question the immediate impact of reports versus direct action.
The bill is relatively short and clearly structured, making it accessible for a quick read and easy to understand its core requirements within the given time.
Section 3
Attacks on Law Enforcement Officers Reporting Requirement
This section requires the Attorney General, in consultation with key federal agencies, to submit a report within 270 days. The report must detail the number of offenders intentionally targeting officers, incidents involving coordinated attacks, federal and state responses to ambushes, and an analysis of existing training programs and their effectiveness. It also mandates an assessment of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership, the ability to combine different data collections (LEOKA and 09C Justifiable Homicide), and the expansion of data collection to include suspect injury levels.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is crucial for understanding the full scope and nature of violent attacks against law enforcement, especially ambush attacks. They believe that a detailed analysis of current responses, training, and equipment efficacy is essential to develop targeted strategies and allocate resources effectively to protect officers.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the concept of gathering data to improve officer safety. However, some might express concern about the administrative burden on agencies to collect and synthesize the requested information, particularly for nuanced aspects like 'location-specific limitations' of programs.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need for comprehensive data to inform policy with the potential administrative burden on agencies to collect and report this detailed information. It also seeks to evaluate existing programs, which could reveal shortcomings but also provide a basis for improvement.
Section 4
Aggression Against Law Enforcement Officers Reporting Requirement
This section directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the FBI and National Institute of Justice, to produce a report within 270 days. This report will analyze the feasibility of creating a new category within the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) System and the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) to track aggressive actions or trauma-inducing incidents against officers that do not currently qualify as crimes. It also examines the level of detail, standard of evidence, and strategies for engaging state and local agencies in reporting this new data.
Section 5
Mental Health and Wellness Reporting Requirement
This section requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the FBI and National Institute of Justice, to submit a report within 270 days focusing on the mental health and wellness of law enforcement officers. The report must analyze the types, frequency, and severity of mental health responses to trauma, survey available mental health resources (especially peer-to-peer programs), assess the extent of their use, and evaluate the need for mental health screening within law enforcement agencies. It also seeks recommendations for additional legislative tools to improve officer mental health.