Expanding trauma-informed training for law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians 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 and emergency medical technicians related to sexual assault cases

(a)

In general

The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to establish and expand training for law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians— (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 or demonstrate promising practices and policies, and victim-centered; (2)focus on the circumstances of individuals who— (A)have experienced sexual assault or other sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking; and (B)have dealt with related trauma in interacting with law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians; and (3)include training on— (A)identifying the impact of trauma on the brain and behavior (B)how contact with law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians can cause or lead to retraumatization of sexual assault victims; (C)recognizing how the impact of trauma can influence interactions with law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians; (D)identifying tools and strategies to navigate trauma challenges when interacting with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; (E)communicating with survivors in a trauma-informed manner; and (F)how law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians 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, an eligible entity 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, an eligible entity shall agree to require— (1)individuals enrolled in a law enforcement academy (or other initial training for law enforcement personnel) fire academy (or other initial training for fire fighters), and emergency medical services (or other initial training for emergency medical technicians) of such agencies to receive training described in subsection (c) for at least eight hours; and (2)all other law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians of such agencies 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 eligible entities receiving grants under this section; (2)an evaluation of the effectiveness of such grants in improving trauma-informed training for law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians for sexual assault cases; (3)the prosecution of such cases and outcomes of such prosecution; and (4)survivor feedback on their experiences with law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians. (h)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term eligible entity means— (A)a State, Tribal, or local law enforcement agency; and (B)a State or local agency overseeing emergency medical services. (2)The term trauma-informed means— (A)an understanding of the neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects of trauma and violence on an individual; and (B)an understanding of the environment, practices, policies, and infrastructure that may need to be modified to address the prevalence of trauma and its impacts.