Latest news with #InvesttoProtectAct
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator Young sponsors bills for law enforcement, first responders
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – U.S. Senator Todd Young says he recently co-sponsored two pieces of legislation to better support local law enforcement officers. 'Our police officers are on the front lines every day making sacrifices to protect Hoosiers. I'm glad to join these efforts to ensure our law enforcement officers have the support necessary to continue keeping our communities safe,' said Sen. Young. Officials discuss investigation into wage and hour practices at Henderson jail Young introduced the 'Invest to Protect Act' with other senators to help local law enforcement agencies invest in training, recruitment and retention and mental health support. The 'Invest to Protect Act' would also create a special grant program within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support hiring and resources for agencies with under 175 officers, as the majority of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. have fewer than 175 full-time sworn officers. The bill requires that the grant application take no longer than 30 minutes to complete. Indiana to hold statewide tornado drill Tuesday morning Sen. Young also introduced legislation with other senators to enhance mental health services for first responders nationwide. The 'Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Act' would direct the DOJ to develop treatment programs for police, fire, and emergency medical and 911 personnel who suffer from PTSD or acute stress disorders. Young cosponsored the 'Invest to Protect Act' and the 'Fighting PTSD Act' in previous Congresses, and both bills passed the Senate during the 118th Congress. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cortez Masto, Grassley push for grants for small police departments
Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are pushing to launch a grant program to boost resources for small law enforcement departments across the country. Dubbed the Invest to Protect Act, the legislation would set aside $250 million over the next five years to help local police invest in training, mental health support, and recruitment and retention. 'Nevada's small police departments deserve more access to critical funding to keep communities safe,' Cortez Masto said in a statement. 'I'll always stand up for our law enforcement, and this bipartisan bill is simple – it gets our police in rural, suburban, and Tribal communities the resources they need.' The funding would be available only to departments with a maximum of 175 officers. According to law enforcement associations, 90 percent of U.S. police departments have fewer than 50 law enforcement officers. The funding could be used for a variety of training activities for officers, including responding to active shooter situations or people with mental health issues. It would also help with funding graduate degrees in social work and related fields. The funds would also be available for retention bonuses for officers who commit to staying in a small police department for at least another three years. The funding would be doled out through the existing Community Oriented Policing Services program administered by the Department of Justice. 'Law enforcement in Iowa and across the nation are struggling with low recruitment and retention rates,' Grassley said in a statement. 'Our bipartisan bill would unlock access to critical resources, allowing local law enforcement to grow and strengthen their forces. As always, I'm proud to back the blue and will continue to protect and support our courageous officers.' Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) all signed on as co-sponsors. Updated at 10:38 a.m. EST Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
27-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Cortez Masto, Grassley push for grants for small police departments
Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are pushing to launch a grant program to boost resources for small law enforcement departments across the country. Dubbed the Invest to Protect Act, the legislation would set aside $250 million over the next five years to help local police invest in training, mental health support, and recruitment and retention. 'Nevada's small police departments deserve more access to critical funding to keep communities safe,' Cortez Masto said in a statement. 'I'll always stand up for our law enforcement, and this bipartisan bill is simple – it gets our police in rural, suburban, and Tribal communities the resources they need.' The funding would be available only to those departments with a maximum of 175 officers. According to law enforcement associations, 90 percent of U.S. police departments have fewer than 50 law enforcement officers. The funding could be used for a variety of training activities for officers, including how to respond to active shooter situations or those with mental health issues. It would also help with funding graduate degrees in social work and related fields. The funds would also be available for retention bonuses for officers who commit to staying in a small police department for at least another three years. The funding would be doled out through the existing Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program administered by the Department of Justice. 'Law enforcement in Iowa and across the nation are struggling with low recruitment and retention rates,' Grassley said in a statement. 'Our bipartisan bill would unlock access to critical resources, allowing local law enforcement to grow and strengthen their forces. As always, I'm proud to back the blue and will continue to protect and support our courageous officers.'
