[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5376 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5376
To establish minimum hiring, training, and suitability standards for
Federal law enforcement officers, to prohibit accelerated or
abbreviated basic training and provisional appointments, to provide for
enforcement and oversight, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 7, 2026
Mr. Booker (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish minimum hiring, training, and suitability standards for
Federal law enforcement officers, to prohibit accelerated or
abbreviated basic training and provisional appointments, to provide for
enforcement and oversight, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Integrity,
Training and National Eligibility for Service Standards Act'' or the
``FITNESS Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Minimum eligibility standards for Federal law enforcement
officers.
Sec. 5. Technical skills and academic requirements for Federal law
enforcement officers.
Sec. 6. Ineligibility based on certain prior conduct.
Sec. 7. Ineligibility based on discriminatory conduct.
Sec. 8. Documentation and reporting requirements.
Sec. 9. Officer relief; State attorney general enforcement.
Sec. 10. Recently hired officers.
Sec. 11. Hiring freeze.
Sec. 12. Agency accreditation.
Sec. 13. Enforcement; penalties; oversight.
Sec. 14. Rules of construction.
Sec. 15. No additional funds.
Sec. 16. Severability.
Sec. 17. Effective date.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Federal law enforcement officers exercise extraordinary
governmental authority, including the authority to use force,
and must be trained to the highest professional and
constitutional standards.
(2) The legitimacy of Federal law enforcement depends on
public trust, which is sustained only when Federal law
enforcement officers demonstrate fidelity to the Constitution
and the rule of law.
(3) Conduct by a Federal law enforcement officer that
violates constitutional guarantees, reflects bias or
dishonesty, or would cause a reasonable person to doubt the
officer's fitness for duty undermines the integrity of the
Federal law enforcement agency and the Federal Government as a
whole.
(4) The preservation of human life is the paramount
objective of law enforcement operations and must guide
instruction, tactics, and decision-making.
(5) Use of force by Federal law enforcement officers must
be objectively reasonable, necessary, and proportional to the
threat presented.
(6) Federal law enforcement officers who use excessive
force pose a danger to the safety of the public and other
officers and must be held accountable and removed from service.
(7) Congress has a compelling interest in ensuring that
Federal law enforcement academic and skills training reflects
best practices in modern policing, constitutional standards,
and the protection of life.
(8) The Federal Government has a fundamental obligation to
protect the people of the United States while faithfully
enforcing the Constitution of the United States, and that
obligation includes ensuring that Federal law enforcement
officers are adequately trained before being entrusted with
enforcement and use-of-force authority.
(9) Attenuated hiring practices that prioritize expediency
over preparation increase the risk that officers will be
deployed without sufficient instruction in constitutional
standards, use-of-force principles, and decision-making under
stress and increase the likelihood of constitutional violations
or harm to civilians or officers.
(10) The Federal Government's responsibility to enforce the
law does not diminish during periods of heightened operational
demand, and constitutional compliance may not be sacrificed for
expediency.
(11) Failures in eligibility and training standards
represent an institutional breakdown that compromises public
safety and violates the Federal Government's duty to enforce
the law in a manner consistent with the Constitution.
(12) Exclusion of an individual from employment as a
Federal law enforcement officer based on a demonstrated lack of
fitness or breach of trust is rationally related to protecting
the public, fellow Federal law enforcement officers, and
constitutional governance.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Federal law enforcement agency.--The term ``Federal law
enforcement agency'' means any Executive agency (as defined in
section 105 of title 5, United States Code) authorized by law
to engage in the prevention, detection, investigation, or
prosecution of any violation of criminal law or immigration
law.
(2) Federal law enforcement officer.--The term ``Federal
law enforcement officer'' means any officer, agent, or employee
of the United States authorized by law or by a Government
agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection,
investigation, or prosecution of any violation of Federal civil
or criminal law.
(3) FLETA.--The term ``FLETA'' means the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Accreditation Board, or any successor
accreditation authority recognized by the Federal Government.
(4) FLETC.--The term ``FLETC'' means the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Centers.
(5) Law enforcement instructor training program.--The term
``Law Enforcement Instructor Training Program'' means the 10-
day FLETC program consisting of 76 hours of instruction, as
accredited by FLETA in May 2025, that provides training in law
enforcement instructional skills focused on delivery of an
approved curriculum.
(6) Senior executive service.--The term ``Senior Executive
Service'' has the meaning given the term in section 2101a of
title 5, United States Code.
(7) Student honor code.--The term ``Student Honor Code''
means the policies related to personal conduct, integrity,
dishonesty, and social responsibility as outlined in FLETC
Directive 67-35.C, ``Student Misconduct''.
(8) Uniformed police training program.--The term
``Uniformed Police Training Program'' means the basic 64-
instructional-day training program consisting of 527 total
course hours, as accredited by FLETA in May 2025, that is
designed to provide entry-level Federal law enforcement
officers with foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities
necessary to perform law enforcement duties in a
constitutional, professional, and safe manner.
(9) Use of force training program.--The term ``Use of Force
Training Program'' means the FLETC training program that
provides instruction on officer liability, legal aspects of the
use of force, instructional use of nonlethal training
ammunition, peak performance for law enforcement, environmental
influence of de-escalation and decision-making, post-incident
procedures, and student-centered instructor development.
SEC. 4. MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure that
individuals entrusted with Federal law enforcement authority meet
rigorous, uniform eligibility standards that promote professionalism,
protect public safety, safeguard fellow officers, and ensure faithful
enforcement of the Constitution of the United States.
(b) Minimum Eligibility Requirements.--An individual may not be
appointed to a position as a Federal law enforcement officer unless the
following conditions are met:
(1) Citizenship and legal status.--The individual--
(A) is a citizen of the United States; and
(B) is legally eligible to possess and carry a
firearm.
(2) Medical and physical readiness.--The individual--
(A) successfully completes a comprehensive pre-
employment medical examination;
(B) meets the minimum standards established by the
Guidance for the Medical Evaluation of Law Enforcement
Officers issued by the American College of Occupational
and Environmental Medicine that are necessary to safely
and effectively perform law enforcement duties,
including standards for vision, hearing, and mobility;
and
(C) passes a pre-employment physical fitness
assessment immediately prior to appointment.
(3) Drug-free workplace.--The individual--
(A) passes a pre-employment drug screening; and
(B) agrees to random drug testing as a condition of
employment.
(4) Background and suitability.--The individual--
(A) successfully completes a Single Scope
Background Investigation (commonly known as an
``SSBI'') or successor background investigation;
(B) agrees to periodic background reinvestigations;
and
(C) demonstrates suitability, integrity, and
reliability consistent with Federal law enforcement
standards.
(5) Firearms and duty readiness.--The individual--
(A) agrees to carry a service handgun as required;
and
(B) agrees to qualify on required firearms not less
frequently than twice annually.
(6) Professional obligations.--The individual--
(A) agrees to provide sworn statements and
courtroom testimony as required; and
(B) agrees to comply with ethical standards,
appearance standards, and conduct requirements
applicable to Federal law enforcement officers.
(c) Age Requirements.--An individual shall be not less than 21
years of age and not more than 36 years of age at the time of
appointment to a position as a Federal law enforcement officer.
(d) Education and Experience Qualifications.--
(1) In general.--
(A) In general.--An individual may not be appointed
to a position as a Federal law enforcement officer
unless the individual has, at a minimum--
(i) a bachelor's degree; or
(ii) a high school diploma or general
educational development (commonly known as
``GED'') certificate and not less than 4 years
of general experience.
(B) General experience.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A)(ii), the term ``general experience''--
(i) means experience through which an
individual has developed analytical and
problem-solving abilities, ethical judgment,
planning abilities, and communication skills;
and
(ii) includes experience in administrative,
clerical, technical, or military work that
involves--
(I) protecting property, equipment,
data, or materials; or
(II) making judgments based on the
application of directions, rules,
regulations, or laws.
(2) Accreditation.--Academic credentials from an
institution of higher education may not be used to satisfy the
requirement under paragraph (1)(A)(i) unless the credentials
were awarded by an institution of a higher education--
(A) accredited by an agency or association
recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to
section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1099b); or
(B) in a foreign country that has been determined
by the Secretary of Education to be equivalent to an
institution of higher education described in
subparagraph (A).
(e) Online Presence.--As part of the evaluation and suitability
assessment of an individual for appointment to a position as a Federal
law enforcement officer, a Federal law enforcement agency shall review
the online presence of the individual for information that
demonstrates--
(1) a lack of integrity and ethical judgment;
(2) a disregard for safety and preservation of life; or
(3) ineligibility pursuant to section 6 or 7 of this Act.
SEC. 5. TECHNICAL SKILLS AND ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
(a) Requirements.--
(1) Mandatory completion.--No individual may be deployed,
assigned to duty, or exercise law enforcement authority as a
Federal law enforcement officer, including on a temporary
basis, or be armed, make arrests, conduct searches or seizures,
participate in crowd control or enforcement operations, or
otherwise perform law enforcement duties in a Federal capacity,
unless such individual has successfully completed--
(A) the Uniformed Police Training Program; and
(B) the Use of Force Training Program.
(2) Immigration enforcement.--In addition to the training
programs required under paragraph (1), every individual
deployed, assigned to duty, or exercising law enforcement
authority as a Federal law enforcement officer to conduct
immigration enforcement operations under the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) shall have successfully
completed--
(A) the 584-hour Basic Immigration Enforcement
Training Program described in the syllabus of the
Training Management Division of Enforcement and Removal
Operations in effect in July 2025; and
(B) the 5-week Spanish Language Training Program
conducted by Enforcement and Removal Operations.
(3) Nonduplication.--If any individual course or training
module appears in the curriculum of more than one of the
programs required under paragraphs (1) and (2), an individual
who has taken the course or module through one of the programs
shall not be required to take the same course or module through
any other such program if the individual provides certification
of completion of the course or module to the administrator of
the other program.
(4) Completion requirements.--An individual shall be
considered to have completed a training program required under
paragraph (1) or (2) only upon passage, with a score of 80
percent or higher, of--
(A) each closed-book written examination of the
program; and
(B) each performance examination of the program.
(b) Waiver of Training Prohibited.--A Federal law enforcement
agency may not waive, abbreviate, delay, or circumvent any requirement
under subsection (a)--
(1) due to operational necessity, staffing shortages,
emergency conditions or emergency declaration, or surge
capacity; or
(2) for a specific individual on the grounds that the
individual is employed as a Federal law enforcement officer
with another Federal agency or as a law enforcement officer for
a local, State, or Tribal law enforcement agency.
(c) In-Service Requirements.--After appointment to a position as a
Federal law enforcement officer, an individual shall--
(1) undergo periodic or as-needed medical examinations and
continue to meet the medical requirements for the position;
(2) complete a biannual fitness test, if the individual
participates in at-large enforcement activities;
(3) submit to random drug testing;
(4) successfully pass background reinvestigations,
including for domestic violence or failure to provide child
support, not less frequently than once every 2 years; and
(5) successfully complete annual in-service training
regarding, at a minimum, legal updates and the use of force.
(d) Minimum Requirement for Instructors.--An instructor may not
deliver a program curriculum under subsection (a) unless the instructor
has successfully completed the Law Enforcement Instructor Training
Program.
(e) Enforcement and Compliance.--
(1) Unauthorized status.--Any law enforcement action taken
by a Federal law enforcement officer deployed in violation of
this section shall be deemed unauthorized for purposes of
internal discipline and administrative review.
(2) Agency accountability.--The head of a Federal law
enforcement agency or an official of a Federal law enforcement
agency with supervisory authority who knowingly authorizes
deployment in violation of this section shall be subject to
applicable administrative discipline.
(3) Annual certification.--Each Federal law enforcement
agency shall annually certify to Congress that the agency has
not employed any accelerated or abbreviated basic training
programs prohibited by this section.
(4) Violation of technical skills and academic
requirements.--If a Federal law enforcement officer engages in
a law enforcement action without having completed the training
required under this section, subsequent completion of the
training shall not retroactively cure the violation.
(f) Dishonesty.--Any individual who, while receiving training
pursuant to this section, violates the Student Honor Code, including by
cheating on or falsifying written examinations, graded practical
exercises, or laboratory exercises, shall be--
(1) expelled from training; and
(2) disqualified from appointment to a position as a
Federal law enforcement officer or terminated from employment
as a Federal law enforcement officer, as applicable.
(g) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the authority of a Federal law enforcement agency to
impose additional training requirements.
SEC. 6. INELIGIBILITY BASED ON CERTAIN PRIOR CONDUCT.
(a) Prohibition on Appointment.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, an individual may not be appointed or employed as a
Federal law enforcement officer if the individual has--
(1) been convicted in any court of competent jurisdiction
of any offense involving--
(A) abuse of official position;
(B) interference with the lawful functions of the
government;
(C) seditious conspiracy;
(D) dishonesty, breach of trust, or interference
with governmental operations; or
(E) falsification of records;
(2) knowingly or willfully engaged in acts or activities
designed to--
(A) overthrow the United States Government;
(B) interfere with, impede, disrupt, or obstruct
the lawful functions of the United States Government,
including by entering or remaining in any facility of
the legislative branch of the United States Government;
(C) support the overthrow of the United States
Government or interfere with, impede, disrupt, or
obstruct its lawful functions; or
(D) harass or terrorize an individual based, in
whole or in part, on the individual's race, religion,
disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or gender;
(3) knowingly or willfully violated a Federal ethics or
integrity law; or
(4) been terminated from a State, local, or Tribal law
enforcement agency.
(b) Effect of State or Local Disqualification.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, an individual may not be appointed or employed
as a Federal law enforcement officer if the individual has been
disqualified from possessing a firearm or serving as a law enforcement
officer under State or local law.
(c) Effect of Pardons, Expungements, and Other Forms of Relief.--
(1) Pardons not a basis for eligibility.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, in the case of an individual
convicted of an offense described in subsection (a)(1), a
presidential, gubernatorial, or other executive pardon for the
conviction shall not affect the applicability of that
subsection to the individual.
(2) Expungement, set-aside, or sealing.--In the case of an
individual convicted of an offense described in subsection
(a)(1), an expungement, sealing, set-aside, vacatur, or similar
post-conviction relief granted with respect to the conviction
for reasons other than a finding of factual innocence shall not
affect the applicability of that subsection to the individual.
(3) Certificates of rehabilitation and similar relief.--In
the case of an individual convicted of an offense described in
subsection (a)(1), a certificate of rehabilitation, restoration
of civil rights, or comparable determination shall not affect
the applicability of that subsection to the individual.
(d) Application.--Any conviction, conduct, or disqualification
described in subsection (a) or (b), or the failure to disclose any such
conviction, conduct, or disqualification to the Federal law enforcement
agency that seeks to appoint or employs the individual as a Federal law
enforcement officer, as applicable, shall render an individual
ineligible to be appointed or employed as a Federal law enforcement
officer regardless of when the conviction, conduct, or disqualification
occurred.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit, supersede, or otherwise affect any
disqualification, suitability standard, or eligibility requirement
imposed by any other provision of law, regulation, or agency policy
applicable to Federal law enforcement officers.
SEC. 7. INELIGIBILITY BASED ON DISCRIMINATORY CONDUCT.
(a) Prohibition on Appointment or Service Based on Participation in
or Material Support for Certain Groups and Organizations.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, an individual may not be appointed or employed as a
Federal law enforcement officer if the individual has
participated in or provided material support for the activities
of--
(A) any white supremacist hate group;
(B) any organization the stated purpose of which is
the commission of acts of violence;
(C) any organization that has as a purpose to
overthrow or interfere with the Government of the
United States or the government of any State,
territory, district, or possession thereof;
(D) any organization that advocates the commission
of acts of force or violence to deny other persons
their rights under the Constitution of the United
States;
(E) any organization that advocates hatred,
prejudice, or oppression of any person or group based
on the race, religion, disability, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, or gender of the person or members of the
group, respectively; or
(F) any organization that would in any way, under
the constitution or regulations of the organization,
prevent or hinder the Federal law enforcement officer
from performing the duties of the officer.
(2) Covered conduct.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
term ``participates in, or provides material support for, the
activities of'', with respect to a group or organization
described in that subsection, includes--
(A) participation in an event or activity of the
group or organization;
(B) providing financial or logistical support to
the group or organization;
(C) engaging in online activity to promote hatred,
discrimination, or violence espoused by the group or
organization against any person based on the person's
race, religion, disability, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, or gender; or
(D) coordination with known members of the group or
organization to provide assistance or support for the
commission of acts of violence.
(b) Prohibited Conduct for Federal Law Enforcement Officers.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a Federal law enforcement
officer may not, except as part of the official duties of the officer--
(1) fraternize or socialize with--
(A) persons actively engaged in criminal conduct;
or
(B) fugitives from justice; or
(2) join or affiliate with any organization that
compromises, discredits, prejudices, or otherwise makes suspect
the authority, integrity, or credibility of the officer or the
Federal law enforcement agency that employs the officer.
(c) Enforcement by Agencies.--
(1) Applicants.--
(A) Enforcement.--If a Federal law enforcement
agency determines, through a suitability adjudication
process that is consistent with part 731 of title 5,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation, including applicable due process
protections, that an individual is ineligible to be
appointed as a Federal law enforcement officer under
subsection (a), the Federal law enforcement agency may
not appoint the individual.
(B) Duty to disclose.--An applicant for employment
as a Federal law enforcement officer with a Federal law
enforcement agency shall disclose to the agency, during
the application process, any participation in, or
provision of support for, a group or organization
described in subsection (a) that may disqualify the
applicant from eligibility for such employment under
that subsection.
(2) Employees.--
(A) Enforcement.--If a Federal law enforcement
agency determines that a Federal law enforcement
officer has engaged in conduct prohibited under
subsection (a) or (b), the agency shall remove the
officer through a process that is consistent with
section 7513 of title 5, United States Code.
(B) Duty to disclose.--Not later than 30 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, a Federal law
enforcement agency shall request that each Federal law
enforcement officer employed by the agency disclose to
the agency, and each such Federal law enforcement
officer shall disclose to the agency, any engagement in
conduct prohibited under subsection (a) or (b) that may
disqualify the Federal law enforcement officer under
that subsection from continued employment.
(d) First Amendment Safeguards.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prohibit activities protected by the First Amendment to
the Constitution of the United States.
SEC. 8. DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Commendations and awards.--The term ``commendation and
awards'' means actions by a Federal law enforcement agency to
recognize and reward individual or team achievements of Federal
law enforcement officers that--
(A) contribute to meeting organizational goals, or
improving the efficiency or effectiveness, of the
Federal Government; or
(B) are otherwise in the public interest.
(2) Covered civil action.--The term ``covered civil
action'' means a civil action brought against a Federal law
enforcement officer or a State or local law enforcement officer
accusing the officer of committing a wrongful act relating to
the official duties of the officer.
(3) Criminal conviction.--The term ``criminal conviction'',
with respect to an individual, means a judgment or any other
determination of guilt of the individual for a criminal offense
by a court of competent jurisdiction, whether entered upon a
verdict or plea (including a plea of nolo contendere), for any
offense that occurred during the employment of the individual
as--
(A) a Federal law enforcement officer, whether on-
duty or off-duty; or
(B) a State or local law enforcement officer,
whether on-duty or off-duty.
(4) Disciplinary action.--The term ``disciplinary action''
includes a removal, demotion, suspension, or reprimand of a
Federal law enforcement officer based on a finding of serious
misconduct.
(5) National law enforcement accountability database;
nlead.--The term ``National Law Enforcement Accountability
Database'' or ``NLEAD'' means the centralized repository of
official records documenting instances of Federal, State, or
local law enforcement officer misconduct as well as
commendations and awards maintained by the Justice Management
Division of the Department of Justice that was launched on
December 18, 2023.
(6) Resignation or retirement while under investigation for
serious misconduct.--The term ``resignation or retirement while
under investigation for serious misconduct'', with respect to a
Federal law enforcement officer, means the officer resigned or
retired after--
(A) being provided written notice of an
investigation into potential serious misconduct by the
officer and the investigative process included or would
have included an opportunity for the officer to be
heard; or
(B) a finding of serious misconduct by the law
enforcement officer was made, regardless of whether the
officer was provided written notice of the
investigation.
(7) Serious misconduct complaint.--The term ``serious
misconduct complaint'' means a complaint alleging a criminal
act, use of excessive force, bias, discrimination, obstruction
of justice, theft, or sexual misconduct.
(8) Suspension of a law enforcement officer's law
enforcement authorities.--The term ``suspension of a law
enforcement officer's law enforcement authorities'' means the
suspension of the authority of a law enforcement officer to
perform law enforcement duties based upon a reassignment or
position change to a non-law enforcement officer status.
(9) Termination.--The term ``termination''--
(A) means the involuntary separation of a law
enforcement officer from employment with a Federal law
enforcement agency or a State or local law enforcement
agency; and
(B) includes removal and dismissal.
(10) Use-of-force database.--The term ``Use-of-Force
Database'' means the National Use-of-Force Data Collection of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation that collects nationwide
data on law enforcement use of force incidents that was
formally launched on January 1, 2019.
(11) Use of force incident.--The term ``use of force
incident'' means any incident in which a law enforcement
officer or other employee of a Federal law enforcement agency
uses force through the application of a physical technique, a
chemical agent, or a weapon, including the discharge of a
firearm.
(12) Use of force incident report.--The term ``use of force
incident report'' means a report made under subsection (b)(1)
by a Federal law enforcement officer or other employee of a
Federal law enforcement agency who engaged in or observed a use
of force incident.
(b) Force Incident Reporting.--
(1) Reporting requirement.--
(A) In general.--A Federal law enforcement officer
or other employee of a Federal law enforcement agency
who engages in or observes a use of force incident
shall report the use of force incident to a direct
supervisor, except as provided in subparagraph (B),
before finishing the officer's or employee's tour of
duty.
(B) Observing use of force by supervisor.--For
purposes of subparagraph (A), if a Federal law
enforcement officer or other employee of a Federal law
enforcement agency observes a direct supervisor of the
officer or employee engaging in a use of force
incident, the officer or other employee shall report
the incident to the next higher-ranking official in the
chain of command.
(2) Failure to report.--If a Federal law enforcement
officer or other employee of a Federal law enforcement agency
makes a deliberate material omission, false statement, or
inaccuracy in a use of force incident report with the intent to
mislead, the Federal law enforcement agency employing the
officer or employee shall subject the officer or other employee
to appropriate discipline for failure to report and lack of
truthfulness, up to and including termination, in accordance
with otherwise applicable law.
(3) Force incident documentation.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), the head of a Federal law enforcement agency
shall--
(A) establish a process for Federal law enforcement
officers and other employees of the agency to document
all use of force incidents and provide training on the
requirements for use of force incident reporting;
(B) ensure that each use of force incident report
is reviewed by a supervisor who is not the officer or
other employee who engaged in the incident;
(C) provide training for all employees who exercise
supervisory authority over Federal law enforcement
officers or other employees on reviewing and auditing
use of force incident reports; and
(D) designate an employee of the agency to be
responsible for submitting responsive use of force
incident data to the Use-of-Force Database.
(4) Mandatory reporting by federal law enforcement
agencies.--
(A) Initial report.--Not later than 30 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the head of a
Federal law enforcement agency shall submit to the Use-
of-Force Database the incident, subject, and officer or
other employee information collected by the Database
for each use of force incident engaged in by a Federal
law enforcement officer or other employee of the agency
for the period beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending
on such date of enactment.
(B) Monthly reports.--After submitting the initial
information under subparagraph (A), the head of a
Federal law enforcement agency shall submit to the Use-
of-Force Database the information required under that
subparagraph on a monthly basis.
(5) Internal audit.--
(A) In general.--The Office of Professional
Responsibility of the Department of Justice shall--
(i) conduct periodic reviews of records
submitted to the Use-of-Force Database under
paragraph (4) to assess--
(I) compliance with this
subsection; and
(II) evidence of violations of--
(aa) the Constitution of
the United States; or
(bb) a policy of a Federal
law enforcement agency; and
(ii) submit an annual report to Congress
detailing findings, trends, and recommendations
resulting from the reviews conducted under
clause (i).
(B) Public information.--Not later than 30 days
after submitting a report to Congress under
subparagraph (A)(i), the Office of Professional
Responsibility of the Department of Justice shall make
the full text of the report publicly available on a
website.
(c) Reestablishment and Maintenance of the National Law Enforcement
Accountability Database.--
(1) Reestablishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall
reestablish, and thereafter the Attorney General shall maintain
and operate, the National Law Enforcement Accountability
Database as a centralized Federal database for law enforcement
accountability and suitability determinations.
(2) Required content.--At a minimum, NLEAD shall include
records relating to--
(A) terminations, removals, resignations, or
retirements while under investigation;
(B) sustained findings of misconduct, including--
(i) excessive or unlawful use of force;
(ii) dishonesty, false statements, or
falsification of records;
(iii) civil rights violations;
(iv) failure to intervene; or
(v) failure to render required medical aid;
(C) revocations of a certificate or license related
to officer misconduct;
(D) covered civil actions, including the
dispositions thereof;
(E) criminal convictions or guilty pleas related to
law enforcement duties or crimes of violence, including
domestic violence;
(F) commendations and awards; and
(G) other substantiated misconduct determined by
the Attorney General to be relevant to suitability for
service as a law enforcement officer.
(3) Mandatory reporting by federal law enforcement
agencies.--
(A) Reporting requirement.--Each quarter, a Federal
law enforcement agency shall submit to NLEAD--
(i) in a standardized manner, all
information required under paragraph (2) with
respect to any Federal law enforcement officer
employed by the agency who has a record
described in that paragraph; or
(ii) if there are no applicable records for
the quarter, a statement that the agency has no
records for submission.
(B) Certification.--The head of each Federal law
enforcement agency shall annually submit to the
Attorney General and to Congress a certification
indicating whether all required information submitted
to NLEAD by the Federal law enforcement agency is
accurate, complete, and current.
(C) Reporting process.--The head of each Federal
law enforcement agency shall--
(i) establish a process for the Federal law
enforcement agency to--
(I) collect and report to NLEAD all
information required under paragraph
(2); and
(II) provide training on the
reporting requirement under
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; and
(ii) designate an employee of the agency,
who may be in a position in the Senior
Executive Service, to be responsible for
submitting the information required under
paragraph (2) to NLEAD.
(D) Failure to report.--If a Federal law
enforcement agency fails to submit information as
required under subparagraph (A), including by
submitting incomplete, inaccurate, unintelligible,
misleading, or nonresponsive data--
(i) not later than 30 days after receiving
notification of that failure from the Attorney
General, the head of the agency shall submit
the information to NLEAD; and
(ii) that failure shall constitute
noncompliance with this Act that may result in
administrative discipline under otherwise
applicable law for the employee of the agency
designated under subparagraph (C)(ii).
(4) Mandatory database checks for federal law enforcement
applicants.--
(A) Pre-appointment requirement.--No individual may
be appointed, conditionally appointed, provisionally
appointed, transferred to a position as, or otherwise
employed as a Federal law enforcement officer by a
Federal law enforcement agency unless the agency has--
(i) conducted a query of NLEAD with respect
to the individual; and
(ii) reviewed and adjudicated the results
of that query as part of making a suitability
determination with respect to the individual.
(B) Timing.--The query of NLEAD required under
subparagraph (A)(i) shall be conducted before--
(i) final selection or appointment;
(ii) issuance of credentials or firearms;
(iii) entry into basic training; or
(iv) the exercise of any law enforcement
authority.
(C) No substitute.--A background investigation,
reference check, self-disclosure, or other screening
mechanism may not be used as a substitute for the query
of NLEAD required under subparagraph (A)(i).
(5) Database checks for employed officers.--Each Federal
law enforcement agency shall conduct an NLEAD query--
(A) before a Federal law enforcement officer is
transferred to the Federal law enforcement agency from
another Federal law enforcement agency, including on
detail or temporary assignment; and
(B) biannually for any Federal law enforcement
officer serving in a sensitive, supervisory, or high-
risk assignment.
(6) Use limitations and safeguards.--
(A) Authorized use.--Information contained in NLEAD
may be used solely for purposes of hiring, retention,
promotion, training, discipline, or suitability
determinations with respect to law enforcement
officers.
(B) Attorney general responsibilities.--The
Attorney General shall--
(i) conduct regular periodic compliance
reviews to ensure the accuracy and reliability
of records included in NLEAD;
(ii) direct any Federal law enforcement
agency that submits incomplete, inaccurate,
unintelligible, misleading, or nonresponsive
data to NLEAD to revise and resubmit the data;
(iii) provide notice and an opportunity to
respond to individuals whose records are
included in NLEAD, consistent with applicable
due process protections; and
(iv) prevent unauthorized access to or
disclosure of records included in NLEAD.
(7) Access.--
(A) Authorized users.--The Attorney General shall
ensure that NLEAD is accessible only to authorized
users to help determine suitability and eligibility of
candidates for law enforcement positions.
(B) State, local, and tribal governments.--The
Attorney General shall ensure that a State, local, or
Tribal agency can access NLEAD to query the record of
an applicant for a position as a law enforcement
officer.
(C) Public reporting.--The Attorney General shall
publish annually a public report containing aggregated
and anonymized data from NLEAD to maintain transparency
and accountability.
(D) Involved individuals.--If an individual is
involved in an encounter with a Federal law enforcement
officer that results in loss of property, physical
injury, or death, the Attorney General, upon request
from the individual or a family member of the
individual in the case of death or incapacitation,
shall provide information or documents from NLEAD
related to the Federal law enforcement officer involved
in the encounter.
(8) Federal law enforcement officer protections.--An
individual who is a current or former Federal law enforcement
officer or State or local law enforcement officer, or counsel
or another designated representative for such an individual,
may--
(A) access and review personal information in NLEAD
pertaining to that individual;
(B) provide additional information or documents or
a personal statement to a Federal law enforcement
agency that submitted information or documents relating
to the individual to NLEAD, which shall be retained as
part of the individual's employment information; or
(C) present evidence to and petition the head of
the Federal law enforcement agency described in
subparagraph (B) to amend, supplement, or remove
information from NLEAD.
(9) Privacy protections.--Nothing in this subsection shall
be construed to supersede the requirements or limitations under
section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as
the ``Privacy Act of 1974'').
SEC. 9. OFFICER RELIEF; STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Federal Law Enforcement Officers Right to Relief.--A Federal
law enforcement officer may bring a civil action in an appropriate
district court of the United States against the Federal law enforcement
agency that employs the officer for declaratory or injunctive relief if
the Federal law enforcement agency assigns the officer to work with or
under the command of an individual appointed or deployed as a Federal
law enforcement officer in violation of this Act.
(b) State Attorney General Enforcement Authority.--
(1) Authorization.--If the attorney general of a State has
reasonable cause to believe that a Federal law enforcement
agency has engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of
this Act that poses an imminent and substantial risk to public
safety or constitutional rights within the State, the attorney
general of the State may bring a civil action on behalf of the
residents of the State against the Federal law enforcement
agency in the United States District Court for the District of
Columbia.
(2) Relief.--In a civil action brought under paragraph (1)
relief shall be limited to declaratory relief and prospective
injunctive relief necessary to compel compliance.
(3) Notice and opportunity to cure.--Not later than 30 days
before bringing a civil action against a Federal law
enforcement agency under paragraph (1), the attorney general of
a State shall provide written notice to the head of the Federal
law enforcement agency, the Attorney General, and the relevant
inspector general describing the alleged violations and factual
basis, unless the attorney general of the State certifies that
delay in filing the civil action would result in irreparable
harm to public safety.
SEC. 10. RECENTLY HIRED OFFICERS.
(a) Definition of Recently Appointed Officer.--In this section, the
term ``recently appointed officer'' means a Federal law enforcement
officer who was appointed during the period beginning on January 20,
2025, and ending on the day before the effective date of this Act.
(b) Temporary Removal From Law Enforcement Duties.--
(1) Certification.--Not later than 30 days after the
effective date of this Act, each Federal law enforcement agency
that appointed a recently appointed officer shall certify that
the recently appointed officer has met the requirements under
sections 4 and 5.
(2) Officers not certified.--In the case of a recently
appointed officer who is not certified in accordance with
paragraph (1), the Federal law enforcement agency employing the
officer shall remove the officer from law enforcement duties
and place the officer in administrative status or on paid leave
for the period beginning on the day after the deadline under
paragraph (1) and ending on the date on which the officer meets
the requirements under sections 4 and 5.
(c) Mandatory Compliance.--A Federal law enforcement agency shall
require a recently appointed officer, as a condition of continued
employment in a law enforcement capacity, to--
(1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, meet the requirements under section 4; and
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, to meet the requirements under section 5.
(d) Failure To Certify.--In the case of a recently appointed
officer who fails to meet the requirements under section 4 or 5 by the
applicable date specified under subsection (c) of this section, the
Federal law enforcement agency employing the officer shall--
(1) permanently remove the officer from law enforcement
duties; and
(2) subject the officer to separation from Federal service
in accordance with applicable civil service laws.
SEC. 11. HIRING FREEZE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Baseline number.--The term ``baseline number'' means
the number of immigration enforcement officers on the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(2) Immigration enforcement officer.--The term
``immigration enforcement officer'' means a Federal law
enforcement officer who is employed by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement as a special agent (criminal investigator),
deportation officer, or detention and deportation officer.
(3) Other federal law enforcement agency.--The term ``other
Federal law enforcement agency'' means any Federal law
enforcement agency other than U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement.
(b) General Prohibitions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law--
(1) the Secretary of Homeland Security may not increase the
number of immigration enforcement officers beyond the baseline
number; and
(2) the annual rate of basic pay of an immigration
enforcement officer may not be increased beyond the rate in
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Prohibition on Hiring Bonuses.--The Secretary of Homeland
Security may not offer or provide a bonus of any amount to--
(1) an applicant for a Federal law enforcement officer
position or other employment with a Federal law enforcement
agency; or
(2) a newly hired or appointed Federal law enforcement
officer or other employee of a Federal law enforcement agency.
(d) Prohibition on Augmentation.--The Secretary of Homeland
Security may not augment, increase, or otherwise offset the baseline
number of immigration enforcement officers through the reassignment,
detail, transfer, or use of Federal law enforcement officers from other
Federal law enforcement agencies to perform the duties of immigration
enforcement officers.
(e) Vacancies.--Notwithstanding the baseline number, the Secretary
of Homeland Security may not hire any immigration enforcement officers
to fill vacancies arising from retirement, termination, resignation, or
other separation occurring on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(f) Term.--The prohibitions under subsections (b), (d), and (e)
shall remain in effect until the Secretary of Homeland Security
certifies to Congress that each Federal law enforcement officer
employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as of the date of
enactment of this Act has satisfied the hiring standards set forth in
section 4 and the training standards set forth in section 5.
(g) Certification.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit
monthly to the Government Accountability Office a certification of
compliance with the requirements of this section for review.
SEC. 12. AGENCY ACCREDITATION.
(a) Initial Accreditation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, each Federal law enforcement agency shall obtain
the Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation granted by the Commission on
Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (in this section referred to
as ``CALEA'').
(b) Reaccreditation.--A Federal law enforcement agency that obtains
accreditation under subsection (a) shall maintain the accreditation
through continuous reaccreditation every 4 years thereafter, in
accordance with CALEA standards and procedures.
(c) Certification.--Each Federal law enforcement agency shall
certify to the inspector general of the agency compliance with--
(1) subsection (a) not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(2) subsection (b) every 4 years thereafter.
SEC. 13. ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES; OVERSIGHT.
(a) Enforcement Authorities.--
(1) Compliance.--Compliance with this Act shall be
considered and enforced, and personnel actions for violations
of this Act shall be taken, in accordance with otherwise
applicable law relating to performance appraisal, discipline,
suspension, removal, and supervisory accountability.
(2) Agency head responsibility.--The head of each Federal
law enforcement agency--
(A) shall be responsible for compliance with this
Act and may not delegate that responsibility in a
manner that diminishes accountability; and
(B) not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, shall assess and revise the
policies and procedures of the Federal law enforcement
agency as necessary to comply with this Act.
(b) Civil Service Penalties for Noncompliance.--
(1) In general.--Any appointment of an individual to a
position as a Federal law enforcement officer made in violation
of this Act shall be deemed invalid and the Federal law
enforcement agency that appointed the individual, upon
discovering the violation, shall immediately remove the
individual from law enforcement duties.
(2) Supervisors.--Any employee who exercises supervisory,
policy, or operational authority over the hiring, training,
deployment, or oversight of 1 or more Federal law enforcement
officers who knowingly authorizes an appointment in violation
of this Act, approves or utilizes training prohibited by this
Act, or makes a false certification required by this Act shall
be subject to personnel actions in accordance with otherwise
applicable law relating to performance appraisal, discipline,
suspension, removal, and supervisory accountability.
(3) Senior executive accountability.--
(A) Performance plan.--
(i) In general.--Each employee in a
position in the Senior Executive Service who
exercises supervisory, policy, or operational
authority over the hiring, training,
deployment, or oversight of 1 or more Federal
law enforcement officers shall have
incorporated into the annual performance plan
of the employee a critical element assessing
compliance with this Act, including the
prohibition on accelerated training and
provisional appointments.
(ii) Certification.--The head of a Federal
law enforcement agency shall annually submit to
the Office of Personnel Management and to
Congress a certification indicating whether the
performance plan of each employee of the
Federal law enforcement agency in a position in
the Senior Executive Service who exercises
supervisory, policy, or operational authority
over the hiring, training, deployment, or
oversight of 1 or more Federal law enforcement
officers includes the critical element
assessing compliance with this Act that is
required under clause (i).
(B) Consequences for violations.--
(i) Violations generally.--A violation of
this Act by an employee in a position in the
Senior Executive Service shall constitute
unsatisfactory performance and render the
employee ineligible for a performance award or
bonus for the applicable performance cycle.
(ii) Knowing violations.--A knowing
violation of this Act by an employee in a
position in the Senior Executive Service shall
constitute neglect of duty and shall result in
reassignment, reduction in pay, or removal from
the Senior Executive Service consistent with
otherwise applicable law relating to
reassignment, reduction in pay, or removal.
(c) Operational Consequences.--A Federal law enforcement officer
who is employed in violation of this Act shall be deemed to not be
authorized to exercise law enforcement authority for purposes of
internal agency review, discipline, credentialing, or training
equivalency determinations.
(d) Funding.--
(1) Condition on availability of funds.--No funds
appropriated or otherwise made available to a Federal law
enforcement agency may be used to--
(A) operate, contract for, or deliver an
accelerated or abbreviated basic training program that
does not meet the requirements of this Act; or
(B) deploy any Federal law enforcement officer who
has not completed all training required under this Act.
(2) Corrective withholding.--If an inspector general
determines that a Federal law enforcement agency is not in full
compliance with this Act, the Federal law enforcement agency
may not obligate funds to appoint or deploy a Federal law
enforcement officer until the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget determines that the Federal law
enforcement agency is in compliance with this Act.
(e) Inspector General Oversight.--The inspector general of each
Federal law enforcement agency shall--
(1) periodically review compliance with this Act, including
hiring timelines, training duration and content, and deployment
practices; and
(2) if the inspector general determines the Federal law
enforcement agency is not in compliance with this Act, submit a
report regarding the determination to--
(A) the head of the Federal law enforcement agency;
(B) the Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland
Security, as applicable;
(C) the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget;
(D) the Committee on the Judiciary and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(E) the Committee on the Judiciary and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 14. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a) No Retroactive Punishment.--The application of this Act to
prior conduct or convictions of an individual shall not be construed as
retroactive punishment, but solely as a determination of the present
suitability of the individual for a position as a Federal law
enforcement officer.
(b) Other Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to--
(1) limit the legal effect of a pardon for purposes other
than eligibility for employment as a Federal law enforcement
officer;
(2) impose additional criminal penalties on an individual
adjudicated ineligible for employment as a Federal law
enforcement officer;
(3) create a private right of action; or
(4) limit the authority of a Federal law enforcement agency
to impose hiring standards for Federal law enforcement officers
in addition to the hiring standards required under this Act.
SEC. 15. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act.
SEC. 16. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or the application of such provision
to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this
Act, and the application of the provision to any other person or
circumstance, shall not be affected.
SEC. 17. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, except that the Secretary of Homeland
Security, the Attorney General, and the head of any other Federal law
enforcement agency may take such actions prior to the effective date as
are necessary to implement this Act.
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