What does ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS. of Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish timelines for notifying claimants of missing information and benefit determinations. It introduces interim benefit payments if the Bureau fails to make a determination within 270 calendar days of receiving a complete claim, provided the claimant's status is undisputed or funds are held in escrow. The Bureau is required to conduct ongoing outreach to public safety officers and agencies regarding the program, including efforts for disabled officers. The Comptroller General will conduct annual audits of backlogged claims to identify programmatic challenges and review the Bureau’s efforts to process claims. The Bureau is now authorized to issue subpoenas to public agencies for necessary information to adjudicate claims if the information is not provided within 30 days. The definition of 'complete claim' is added, requiring all necessary documents and a claim number. Amendments are made to the Internal Revenue Code and Title 28, United States Code, to conform to the changes in definitions.

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Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026

Q: What does Preamble of Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to revise administrative procedures related to death benefits for public safety officers. The bill's stated purpose is to revise administrative procedures and includes 'other purposes'.

Q: What does SHORT TITLE. of Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the "Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026".

Q: What does BENEFITS FOR PERMANENT AND PARTIAL DISABILITY. of Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 1201 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish benefits for public safety officers who experience permanent, but not total, disability due to a line-of-duty injury. If a public safety officer's impairment progresses to permanent and total disability within three years, they may apply for benefits under the total disability subsection. If a public safety officer receiving partial disability benefits dies from the same line-of-duty injury, death benefits are reduced by the amount of partial disability benefits previously paid. The Bureau may make interim benefit payments of up to $6,000 to public safety officers demonstrating need, prior to a final determination. The section includes technical and conforming amendments to various subsections of the Act, primarily updating references and calculations.

Q: What does EXPEDITED PAYMENT FOR VCF OR WTCHP DETERMINATIONS. of Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 1205(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. The amendment establishes a process for the Bureau to approve claims. Claims will be approved unless there is 'clear and convincing evidence to the contrary,' as determined by the Bureau. The Bureau may approve a claim if the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) or the World Trade Center Health Program provides a certification of facts. Certifications can indicate either eligibility for death benefits under the VCF or that a claimant's death is related to a World Trade Center Health Program condition.

Q: What does IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN GAO RECOMMENDATIONS. of Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Attorney General to ensure the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance implements recommendations from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. The GAO report is titled ``Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Transparency, Claims Assistance, and Program Management Improvements Needed'' (GAO-24-105549). The implementation must occur within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

Q: What does EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS. of Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section clarifies that the Act does not expand or alter existing benefits for dependents. The referenced benefits are those available under subpart 2 of part L of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.

Last updated: 2/25/2026 · Introduced: 2/25/2026

Author: Randy Weber (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes timelines and interim benefit payments for public safety officer death benefit claims, requiring the Bureau to act within 270 days of receiving a complete claim and conduct annual audits of backlogged claims.
The bill expands benefits to public safety officers experiencing permanent, but not total, disabilities due to line-of-duty injuries, allowing for potential conversion to total disability benefits if their condition worsens.
It streamlines claim approvals by requiring the Bureau to approve claims unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, potentially utilizing certifications from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund or the World Trade Center Health Program.

119th Congressin committeeS. 3897(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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