Reschenthaler unveils bipartisan bill to support America’s public safety officers

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) on July 9 introduced a bipartisan bill that would authorize public safety officer benefits to officers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Rep. Reschenthaler is the original cosponsor of the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2020, H.R. 7568, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD), which would expand the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to include coverage for public safety officers who die as a result of suicide or are disabled as a result of PTSD.

“Our first responders put themselves at risk every day to protect our communities, and this taxing work often results in invisible wounds that make officers more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, ” said Rep. Reschenthaler. “I am proud to join Congressman Trone to support the brave Americans who put their lives on the line for the wellbeing of our nation.”

Currently, the PSOB provides disability relief to families of officers who died or who have been permanently disabled as a result of a physical injury, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Reschenthaler’s office.

“The Public Safety Officer Support Act will ensure we address both the physical and mental health of law enforcement by expanding eligibility to provide first responders and their families with mental health services and assistance,” Rep. Reschenthaler said.

If enacted, H.R. 7568 would allow officers to seek disability benefits for PTSD linked to severe trauma and would permit the families of officers who are lost to trauma-linked suicide to apply for death benefits.

“We need to make sure the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program is there not only for those suffering from physical injuries, but those suffering from mental injuries as well,” said Rep. Trone. “I want to thank Congressman Reschenthaler for working together with me on this important legislation.”

The bill is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the American Psychological Association, among others.

The introduction of H.R. 7568 follows the May 1 introduction by Reps. Reschenthaler and Trone of the Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support (COPS) Counseling Act, H.R. 6694, which would increase privacy protections for officers in peer counseling programs by creating clear standards for confidentiality.