The U.S. Senate this month passed two bills cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) that would improve protections for America’s law enforcement officers.
“I’m glad to see these two bills pass the Senate and provide support for our officers,” Sen. Gardner said last week. “I’ll continue to fight for measures like this to back our men and women in uniform.”
The Senate on May 16 passed the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act of 2019, S. 998, cosponsored by Sen. Gardner with U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) to expand support for police officer family services, stress reduction, and suicide prevention.
On May 14, the Senate approved S. 1231, which Sen. Gardner cosponsored with lead bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program.
“Law enforcement officers in Colorado and across our nation are the foundation of safe communities and it’s our responsibility to ensure they have the best possible equipment to protect themselves and the resources necessary for them and their families to receive mental health assistance,” said Sen. Gardner recently.
S. 1231 would permanently reauthorize the federal grant program that assists state and local law enforcement agencies in purchasing lifesaving bulletproof vests for officers working in the field, according to the lawmaker’s office.
S. 998 would restore grant funding for law enforcement family-support services and would allow grant recipients to use funds to establish suicide-prevention programs and mental health services for law enforcement officers, said Sen. Gardner’s staff.
The U.S. House of Representatives this month received both bills for consideration. S. 1231 is being held at the desk while S. 998 has been referred to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.