Overview
Title
To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include certain retired law enforcement officers in the public safety officers’ death benefits program.
ELI5 AI
The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2024 is a bill that wants to give money to the families of retired police officers if those officers get hurt or killed because someone attacked them for being a police officer, even if they've stopped working already. It would count for events like this that happened since January 1, 2019.
Summary AI
The bill, H. R. 7794, also known as the “Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2024,” aims to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It proposes to extend death benefits to certain retired law enforcement officers if they are killed or permanently disabled due to a targeted attack because of their past service. The bill applies retroactively to incidents occurring on or after January 1, 2019, ensuring that eligible retired officers or their families receive benefits for such events from that date forward.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed bill, titled the "Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2024," aims to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. The primary goal of this amendment is to include certain retired law enforcement officers in the public safety officers’ death benefits program. Under this legislation, retired officers who suffer from a permanent and total disability or die as a result of a targeted attack due to their law enforcement service would be eligible for benefits. The bill seeks to provide these protections retroactively, covering incidents from January 1, 2019, onward.
Significant Issues
Several key issues have emerged from a close examination of the bill:
Ambiguity in Terminology: The phrase “personal injury resulting from a targeted attack” could be subject to different interpretations, potentially leading to challenges in legal contexts. Clarification is necessary to enhance the bill's implementation and avoid disputes.
Retroactive Applicability: By applying the bill retroactively to incidents from January 1, 2019, there could be unexpected financial burdens and complexities. The retroactive nature might result in a surge of claims, impacting the government's budgetary and fiscal planning.
Definition Clarity: The criteria laid out in the bill for a "retired law enforcement officer" might be overly complex. Specifically, further details on what constitutes being "separated from service, in good standing" would benefit from clarification.
Impact on the Public
The bill potentially has a broad impact on the public, particularly by ensuring that retired law enforcement officers are protected and supported even after their service has ended. The inclusion of these officers under the death benefits program could reinforce public appreciation for the sacrifices of law enforcement professionals, fostering a sense of security and acknowledgment for their continued dedication.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Positive Impacts: - Retired Law Enforcement Officers and Their Families: This bill's passage would provide them with financial support in the tragic event of targeted attacks, acknowledging and compensating their continued risk due to their past service. - Public Safety Workforce: By extending these benefits, current law enforcement officers might feel assured of future protection, potentially boosting morale and trust in public institutions.
Negative Impacts: - Government and Fiscal Managers: The retroactive nature of the bill might complicate budgetary allocations and financial management, especially if unexpected claims emerge from incidents in the past few years.
In summary, while the bill is commendable in extending support to retired law enforcement officers, its implementation might face hurdles due to ambiguous terminology, complex definitions, and the challenges brought about by retroactive applicability. Clarifications and precise legislative language would be crucial in ensuring the bill's success and fostering its intended positive impacts.
Issues
The definition of 'personal injury resulting from a targeted attack' in Section 2 might be ambiguous and could potentially lead to misinterpretation and legal challenges, which is politically and legally significant.
The retroactive applicability provision in Section 2 could lead to budgetary complexities due to potential claims from past incidences starting from January 1, 2019, impacting financial planning and raising fiscal concerns.
The terminology used in defining 'retired law enforcement officer' in Section 2 might be too complex and could benefit from clarification regarding what constitutes 'separated from service, in good standing', which is important for the law's effective and fair application.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section gives the official title of the act, which is called the “Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2024.”
2. Inclusion of certain retired public safety officers in the public safety officers' death benefits program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include retired law enforcement officers in the public safety officers' death benefits program if they are injured or killed due to targeted attacks related to their service. The changes are effective immediately and also apply retroactively to incidents from January 1, 2019.