118 HR 9051 IH: Compassionate Assault Response and Empathy Act of 2024 U.S. House of Representatives 2024-07-15 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9051IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 15, 2024Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Casten, Mr. Moulton, and Ms. Jackson Lee) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to expand trauma-informed training for law enforcement personnel related to sexual assault cases, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Compassionate Assault Response and Empathy Act of 2024.

2.

Expanding trauma-informed training for law enforcement personnel related to sexual assault cases

Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

553.

Expanding trauma-informed training for law enforcement personnel related to sexual assault cases

(a)

In general

The Secretary may award grants to State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies to establish and expand training for law enforcement personnel—(1)to increase understanding and awareness of the impact of trauma in sexual assault cases; and(2)to develop and implement strategies for trauma-informed responses and policies in such cases.(b)

Period of grants

The period of a grant under this section shall be 1 year.(c)

Training described

The training funded pursuant to subsection (a) shall—(1)be trauma-informed, evidence-based, and victim-centered;(2)focus on the circumstances of individuals who—(A)have experienced sexual assault or other sexual violence; and(B)dealt with related trauma in interacting with law enforcement; and(3)include training on—(A)how contact with law enforcement can cause or lead to retraumatization of sexual assault victims; and(B)how law enforcement personnel can best support victims of sexual assault or other sexual violence during their interactions with law enforcement.(d)

Trainer listing

The Secretary shall maintain and make available online—(1)a listing of trainers who provide training described in subsection (c); and(2)make such listing searchable according to the trainer’s—(A)geographic area; and(B)professional background.(e)

Diversity among trainers

As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, a State, Tribal, or local law enforcement agency shall strive to provide the training funded through the grant by trainers with—(1)diverse professional backgrounds; and(2)inclusive racial, ethnic, and gender representation.(f)

Required number of training hours

As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, a State, Tribal, or local law enforcement agency shall agree to require—(1)individuals enrolled in a law enforcement academy (or other initial training for law enforcement personnel) of such agency to receive training described in subsection (c) for at least eight hours; and(2)all other law enforcement personnel of such agency to receive training described in subsection (c) for at least four hours annually.(g)

Reports to Congress

The Secretary shall collect data and submit annual reports to the Congress on the grant program under this section. Each such report shall include—(1)the number of State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies receiving grants under this section; and(2)an evaluation of the effectiveness of such grants in improving trauma-informed training for law enforcement personnel for sexual assault cases.(h)

Definition

In this section, the term trauma-informed means based on the knowledge and understanding of trauma and its far-reaching implications.

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