[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 76 (Thursday, May 2, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3333-S3339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1950. Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. Ossoff, Mr. Grassley, Mr. 
Peters, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Cruz) submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1911 submitted by Ms. Cantwell (for herself, 
Mr. Cruz, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Moran) and intended to be proposed to 
the bill H.R. 3935, to amend title 49, United States Code, to 
reauthorize and improve the Federal Aviation Administration and other 
civil aviation programs, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

       TITLE XIV--LAW ENFORCEMENT AND VICTIM SUPPORT ACT OF 2024

     SEC. 1401. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Law Enforcement and Victim 
     Support Act of 2024''.

     SEC. 1402. PREVENTING CHILD TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2024.

       (a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``anti-
     trafficking recommendations'' means the recommendations set 
     forth in the report of the Government Accountability Office 
     entitled ``Child Trafficking: Addressing Challenges to Public 
     Awareness and Survivor Support'', which was published on 
     December 11, 2023.
       (b) Implementation of Anti-trafficking Programs for 
     Children.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Office for Victims of Crime of the 
     Department of Justice, in coordination with the Office on 
     Trafficking in Persons of the Administration for Children and 
     Families, shall implement the anti-trafficking 
     recommendations.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which 
     the Office for Victims of Crime implements the anti-
     trafficking recommendations pursuant to subsection (c), the 
     Director of the Office for Victims of Crime shall submit a 
     report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives 
     that explicitly describes the steps taken by the Office to 
     complete such implementation.

     SEC. 1403. PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD ACT.

       Section 143 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety 
     Act of 2006 (34 U.S.C. 20942) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 143. PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Child sexual abuse material.--The term `child sexual 
     abuse material' has the meaning given the term `child 
     pornography' in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.
       ``(2) Child sexual exploitation offense.--The term `child 
     sexual exploitation offense' means--
       ``(A)(i) an offense involving a minor under section 1591 or 
     chapter 117 of title 18, United States Code;
       ``(ii) an offense under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of 
     section 2251 of title 18, United States Code;
       ``(iii) an offense under section 2251A or 2252A(g) of title 
     18, United States Code; or
       ``(iv) any attempt or conspiracy to commit an offense 
     described in clause (i) or (ii); or
       ``(B) an offense involving a minor under a State or Tribal 
     statute that is similar to a provision described in 
     subparagraph (A).

[[Page S3334]]

       ``(3) Circle of trust offender.--The term `circle of trust 
     offender' means an offender who is related to, or in a 
     position of trust, authority, or supervisory control with 
     respect to, a child.
       ``(4) Computer.--The term `computer' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 1030 of title 18, United States Code.
       ``(5) Contact sexual offense.--The term `contact sexual 
     offense' means--
       ``(A) an offense involving a minor under chapter 109A of 
     title 18, United States Code, or any attempt or conspiracy to 
     commit such an offense; or
       ``(B) an offense involving a minor under a State or Tribal 
     statute that is similar to a provision described in 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(6) Dual offender.--The term `dual offender' means--
       ``(A) a person who commits--
       ``(i) a technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation 
     offense or an offense involving child sexual abuse material; 
     and
       ``(ii) a contact sexual offense; and
       ``(B) without regard to whether the offenses described in 
     clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) are committed as part of the same course of conduct; 
     or
       ``(ii) involve the same victim.
       ``(7) Facilitator.--The term `facilitator' means an 
     individual who facilitates the commission by another 
     individual of--
       ``(A) a technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation 
     offense or an offense involving child sexual abuse material; 
     or
       ``(B) a contact sexual offense.
       ``(8) ICAC affiliate partner.--The term `ICAC affiliate 
     partner' means a law enforcement agency that has entered into 
     a formal operating agreement with the ICAC Task Force 
     Program.
       ``(9) ICAC task force.--The term `ICAC task force' means a 
     task force that is part of the ICAC Task Force Program.
       ``(10) ICAC task force program.--The term `ICAC Task Force 
     Program' means the National Internet Crimes Against Children 
     Task Force Program established under section 102 of the 
     PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 21112).
       ``(11) Offense involving child sexual abuse material.--The 
     term `offense involving child sexual abuse material' means--
       ``(A) an offense under section 2251(d), section 2252, or 
     paragraphs (1) through (6) of section 2252A(a) of title 18, 
     United States Code, or any attempt or conspiracy to commit 
     such an offense; or
       ``(B) an offense under a State or Tribal statute that is 
     similar to a provision described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(12) Serious offender.--The term `serious offender' 
     means--
       ``(A) an offender who has committed a contact sexual 
     offense or child sexual exploitation offense;
       ``(B) a dual offender, circle of trust offender, or 
     facilitator; or
       ``(C) an offender with a prior conviction for a contact 
     sexual offense, a child sexual exploitation offense, or an 
     offense involving child sexual abuse material.
       ``(13) State.--The term `State' means a State of the United 
     States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, 
     territory, or possession of the United States.
       ``(14) Technology-facilitated.--The term `technology-
     facilitated', with respect to an offense, means an offense 
     that is committed through the use of a computer, even if the 
     use of a computer is not an element of the offense.
       ``(b) Establishment of Program.--The Attorney General shall 
     create and maintain a nationwide initiative to align Federal, 
     State, and local entities to combat the growing epidemic of 
     online child sexual exploitation and abuse, to be known as 
     the `Project Safe Childhood program', in accordance with this 
     section.
       ``(c) Best Practices.--The Attorney General, in 
     coordination with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity 
     Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice 
     and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 
     of the Department of Justice, and in consultation with 
     training and technical assistance providers under the ICAC 
     Task Force Program who are funded by the Attorney General and 
     with appropriate nongovernmental organizations, shall--
       ``(1) develop best practices to adopt a balanced approach 
     to the investigation of suspect leads involving contact 
     sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and 
     offenses involving child sexual abuse material, and the 
     prosecution of those offenses, prioritizing when feasible the 
     identification of a child victim or a serious offender, which 
     approach shall incorporate the use of--
       ``(A) proactively generated leads, including leads 
     generated by current and emerging technology;
       ``(B) in-district investigative referrals; and
       ``(C) CyberTipline reports from the National Center for 
     Missing and Exploited Children;
       ``(2) develop best practices to be used by each United 
     States Attorney and ICAC task force to assess the likelihood 
     that an individual could be a serious offender or that a 
     child victim may be identified;
       ``(3) develop and implement a tracking and communication 
     system for Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies 
     and prosecutor's offices to report successful cases of victim 
     identification and child rescue to the Department of Justice 
     and the public; and
       ``(4) encourage the submission of all lawfully seized 
     visual depictions to the Child Victim Identification Program 
     of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
       ``(d) Implementation.--Except as authorized under 
     subsection (e), funds authorized under this section may only 
     be used for the following 4 purposes:
       ``(1) Integrated Federal, State, and local efforts to 
     investigate and prosecute contact sexual offenses, child 
     sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child 
     sexual abuse material, including--
       ``(A) the partnership by each United States Attorney with 
     each Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force within the 
     district of such attorney;
       ``(B) training of Federal, State, and local law enforcement 
     officers and prosecutors through--
       ``(i) programs facilitated by the ICAC Task Force Program;
       ``(ii) ICAC training programs supported by the Office of 
     Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department 
     of Justice;
       ``(iii) programs facilitated by appropriate nongovernmental 
     organizations with subject matter expertise, technical skill, 
     or technological tools to assist in the identification of and 
     response to serious offenders, contact sexual offenses, child 
     sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child 
     sexual abuse material; and
       ``(iv) any other program that provides training--

       ``(I) on the investigation and identification of serious 
     offenders or victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual 
     exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child sexual 
     abuse material; or
       ``(II) that specifically addresses the use of existing and 
     emerging technologies to commit or facilitate contact sexual 
     offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses 
     involving child sexual abuse material;

       ``(C) the development by each United States Attorney of a 
     district-specific strategic plan to coordinate with State and 
     local law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices, 
     including ICAC task forces and their ICAC affiliate partners, 
     on the investigation of suspect leads involving serious 
     offenders, contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation 
     offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material, 
     and the prosecution of those offenders and offenses, which 
     plan--
       ``(i) shall include--

       ``(I) the use of the best practices developed under 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c);
       ``(II) the development of plans and protocols to target and 
     rapidly investigate cases involving potential serious 
     offenders or the identification and rescue of a victim of a 
     contact sexual offense, a child sexual exploitation offense, 
     or an offense involving child sexual abuse material;
       ``(III) the use of training and technical assistance 
     programs to incorporate victim-centered, trauma-informed 
     practices in cases involving victims of contact sexual 
     offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses 
     involving child sexual abuse material, which may include the 
     use of child protective services, children's advocacy 
     centers, victim support specialists, or other supportive 
     services;
       ``(IV) the development of plans to track, report, and 
     clearly communicate successful cases of victim identification 
     and child rescue to the Department of Justice and the public;
       ``(V) an analysis of the investigative and forensic 
     capacity of law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices 
     within the district, and goals for improving capacity and 
     effectiveness;
       ``(VI) a written policy describing the criteria for 
     referrals for prosecution from Federal, State, or local law 
     enforcement agencies, particularly when the investigation may 
     involve a potential serious offender or the identification or 
     rescue of a child victim;
       ``(VII) plans and budgets for training of relevant 
     personnel on contact sexual offenses, child sexual 
     exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual 
     abuse material;
       ``(VIII) plans for coordination and cooperation with State, 
     local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and prosecutorial 
     offices; and
       ``(IX) evidence-based programs that educate the public 
     about and increase awareness of such offenses; and

       ``(ii) shall be developed in consultation, as appropriate, 
     with--

       ``(I) the local ICAC task force;
       ``(II) the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender 
     Targeting Center;
       ``(III) training and technical assistance providers under 
     the ICAC Task Force Program who are funded by the Attorney 
     General;
       ``(IV) nongovernmental organizations with subject matter 
     expertise, technical skill, or technological tools to assist 
     in the identification of and response to contact sexual 
     offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses 
     involving child sexual abuse material;
       ``(V) any relevant component of Homeland Security 
     Investigations;
       ``(VI) any relevant component of the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation;
       ``(VII) the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
     Prevention of the Department of Justice;
       ``(VIII) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of 
     the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice;
       ``(IX) the United States Postal Inspection Service;
       ``(X) the United States Secret Service; and

[[Page S3335]]

       ``(XI) each military criminal investigation organization of 
     the Department of Defense; and

       ``(D) a quadrennial assessment by each United States 
     Attorney of the investigations within the district of such 
     attorney of contact sexual offenses, child sexual 
     exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual 
     abuse material--
       ``(i) with consideration of--

       ``(I) the variety of sources for leads;
       ``(II) the proportion of work involving proactive or 
     undercover law enforcement investigations;
       ``(III) the number of serious offenders identified and 
     prosecuted; and
       ``(IV) the number of children identified or rescued; and

       ``(ii) information from which may be used by the United 
     States Attorney, as appropriate, to revise the plan described 
     in subparagraph (C).
       ``(2) Major case coordination by the Department of Justice 
     (or other Federal agencies as appropriate), including 
     specific cooperation, as appropriate, with--
       ``(A) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the 
     Criminal Division of the Department of Justice;
       ``(B) any relevant component of Homeland Security 
     Investigations;
       ``(C) any relevant component of the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation;
       ``(D) the ICAC task forces and ICAC affiliate partners;
       ``(E) the United States Marshals Service, including the Sex 
     Offender Targeting Center;
       ``(F) the United States Postal Inspection Service;
       ``(G) the United States Secret Service;
       ``(H) each Military Criminal Investigation Organization of 
     the Department of Defense; and
       ``(I) any task forces established in connection with the 
     Project Safe Childhood program set forth under subsection 
     (b).
       ``(3) Increased Federal involvement in, and commitment to, 
     the prevention and prosecution of technology-facilitated 
     child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving 
     child sexual abuse material by--
       ``(A) using technology to identify victims and serious 
     offenders;
       ``(B) developing processes and tools to identify victims 
     and offenders; and
       ``(C) taking measures to improve information sharing among 
     Federal law enforcement agencies, including for the purposes 
     of implementing the plans and protocols described in 
     paragraph (1)(C)(i)(II) to identify and rescue--
       ``(i) victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual 
     exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual 
     abuse material; or
       ``(ii) victims of serious offenders.
       ``(4) The establishment, development, and implementation of 
     a nationally coordinated `Safer Internet Day' every year 
     developed in collaboration with the Department of Education, 
     national and local internet safety organizations, parent 
     organizations, social media companies, and schools to 
     provide--
       ``(A) national public awareness and evidence-based 
     educational programs about the threats posed by circle of 
     trust offenders and the threat of contact sexual offenses, 
     child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving 
     child sexual abuse material, and the use of technology to 
     facilitate those offenses;
       ``(B) information to parents and children about how to 
     avoid or prevent technology-facilitated child sexual 
     exploitation offenses; and
       ``(C) information about how to report possible technology-
     facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses 
     involving child sexual abuse material through--
       ``(i) the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
     Children;
       ``(ii) the ICAC Task Force Program; and
       ``(iii) any other program that--

       ``(I) raises national awareness about the threat of 
     technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or 
     offenses involving child sexual abuse material; and
       ``(II) provides information to parents and children seeking 
     to report possible violations of technology-facilitated child 
     sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving child 
     sexual abuse material.

       ``(e) Expansion of Project Safe Childhood.--Notwithstanding 
     subsection (d), funds authorized under this section may be 
     also be used for the following purposes:
       ``(1) The addition of not less than 20 Assistant United 
     States Attorneys at the Department of Justice, relative to 
     the number of such positions as of the day before the date of 
     enactment of the Law Enforcement and Victim Support Act of 
     2024, who shall be--
       ``(A) dedicated to the prosecution of cases in connection 
     with the Project Safe Childhood program set forth under 
     subsection (b); and
       ``(B) responsible for assisting and coordinating the plans 
     and protocols of each district under subsection 
     (d)(1)(C)(i)(II).
       ``(2) Such other additional and related purposes as the 
     Attorney General determines appropriate.
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out this 
     section, there are authorized to be appropriated--
       ``(A) for the activities described under paragraphs (1), 
     (2), and (3) of subsection (d), $28,550,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2023 through 2028;
       ``(B) for the activities described under subsection (d)(4), 
     $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028; and
       ``(C) for the activities described under subsection (e), 
     $29,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028.
       ``(2) Supplement, not supplant.--Amounts made available to 
     State and local agencies, programs, and services under this 
     section shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, 
     State, or local funds made available for those agencies, 
     programs, and services.''.

     SEC. 1404. STRONG COMMUNITIES ACT OF 2023.

       Section 1701 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and 
     Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(o) COPS Strong Communities Program.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(i) an institution of higher education, as defined in 
     section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001), that, in coordination or through an agreement with a 
     local law enforcement agency, offers a law enforcement 
     training program; or
       ``(ii) a local law enforcement agency that offers a law 
     enforcement training program.
       ``(B) Local law enforcement agency.--The term `local law 
     enforcement agency' means an agency of a State, unit of local 
     government, or Indian Tribe that is authorized by law or by a 
     government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, 
     detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of 
     criminal law.
       ``(2) Grants.--The Attorney General may use amounts 
     otherwise appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal 
     year (beginning with fiscal year 2024) to make competitive 
     grants to local law enforcement agencies to be used for 
     officers and recruits to attend law enforcement training 
     programs at eligible entities if the officers and recruits 
     agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their 
     communities.
       ``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant through a 
     local law enforcement agency under this subsection, each 
     officer or recruit described in paragraph (2) shall--
       ``(A) serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for a 
     total of not fewer than 4 years during the 8-year period 
     beginning on the date on which the officer or recruit 
     completes a law enforcement training program for which the 
     officer or recruit receives benefits;
       ``(B) complete the service described in subparagraph (A) in 
     a local law enforcement agency located within--
       ``(i) 7 miles of the residence of the officer or recruit 
     where the officer or recruit has resided for not fewer than 5 
     years; or
       ``(ii) if the officer or recruit resides in a county with 
     fewer than 150,000 residents, within 20 miles of the 
     residence of the officer or recruit where the officer or 
     recruit has resided for not fewer than 5 years; and
       ``(C) submit to the eligible entity providing a law 
     enforcement training program to the officer or recruit 
     evidence of employment of the officer or recruit in the form 
     of a certification by the chief administrative officer of the 
     local law enforcement agency where the officer or recruit is 
     employed.
       ``(4) Repayment.--
       ``(A) In general.--If an officer or recruit does not 
     complete the service described in paragraph (3), the officer 
     or recruit shall submit to the local law enforcement agency 
     an amount equal to any benefits the officer or recruit 
     received through the local law enforcement agency under this 
     subsection.
       ``(B) Regulations.--The Attorney General shall promulgate 
     regulations that establish categories of extenuating 
     circumstances under which an officer or recruit may be 
     excused from repayment under subparagraph (A).''.

     SEC. 1405. FIGHTING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ACT OF 
                   2023.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Public safety officers serve their communities with 
     bravery and distinction in order to keep their communities 
     safe.
       (2) Public safety officers, including police officers, 
     firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and 911 
     dispatchers, are on the front lines of dealing with 
     situations that are stressful, graphic, harrowing, and life-
     threatening.
       (3) The work of public safety officers puts them at risk 
     for developing post-traumatic stress disorder and acute 
     stress disorder.
       (4) It is estimated that 30 percent of public safety 
     officers develop behavioral health conditions at some point 
     in their lifetimes, including depression and post-traumatic 
     stress disorder, in comparison to 20 percent of the general 
     population that develops such conditions.
       (5) Victims of post-traumatic stress disorder and acute 
     stress disorder are at a higher risk of dying by suicide.
       (6) Firefighters have been reported to have higher suicide 
     attempt and ideation rates than the general population.
       (7) It is estimated that between 125 and 300 police 
     officers die by suicide every year.
       (8) In 2019, pursuant to section 2(b) of the Law 
     Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017 (Public 
     Law 115-113; 131 Stat. 2276), the Director of the Office of 
     Community Oriented Policing Services of the Department of 
     Justice developed a report (referred to in this section as 
     the ``LEMHWA report'') that expressed that many law 
     enforcement agencies do not have the capacity

[[Page S3336]]

     or local access to the mental health professionals necessary 
     for treating their law enforcement officers.
       (9) The LEMHWA report recommended methods for establishing 
     remote access or regional mental health check programs at the 
     State or Federal level.
       (10) Individual police and fire departments generally do 
     not have the resources to employ full-time mental health 
     experts who are able to treat public safety officers with 
     state-of-the-art techniques for the purpose of treating job-
     related post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress 
     disorder.
       (b) Programming for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Public safety officer.--The term ``public safety 
     officer''--
       (i) has the meaning given the term in section 1204 of the 
     Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 
     10284); and
       (ii) includes Tribal public safety officers.
       (B) Public safety telecommunicator.--The term ``public 
     safety telecommunicator'' means an individual who--
       (i) operates telephone, radio, or other communication 
     systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency 
     assistance at 911 public safety answering points and 
     emergency operations centers;
       (ii) takes information from the public and other sources 
     relating to crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, 
     fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters; 
     and
       (iii) coordinates and provides information to law 
     enforcement and emergency response personnel.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 150 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through 
     the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing 
     Services of the Department of Justice, shall submit to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on 
     the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report on--
       (A) not fewer than 1 proposed program, if the Attorney 
     General determines it appropriate and feasible to do so, to 
     be administered by the Department of Justice for making 
     state-of-the-art treatments or preventative care available to 
     public safety officers and public safety telecommunicators 
     with regard to job-related post-traumatic stress disorder or 
     acute stress disorder by providing public safety officers and 
     public safety telecommunicators access to evidence-based 
     trauma-informed care, peer support, counselor services, and 
     family supports for the purpose of treating or preventing 
     post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder;
       (B) a draft of any necessary grant conditions required to 
     ensure that confidentiality is afforded to public safety 
     officers on account of seeking the care or services described 
     in paragraph (1) under the proposed program;
       (C) how each proposed program described in subparagraph (A) 
     could be most efficiently administered throughout the United 
     States at the State, Tribal, territorial, and local levels, 
     taking into account in-person and telehealth capabilities;
       (D) a draft of legislative language necessary to authorize 
     each proposed program described in subparagraph (A); and
       (E) an estimate of the amount of annual appropriations 
     necessary for administering each proposed program described 
     in subparagraph (A).
       (3) Development.--In developing the report required under 
     paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall consult relevant 
     stakeholders, including--
       (A) Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, and local agencies 
     employing public safety officers and public safety 
     telecommunicators; and
       (B) non-governmental organizations, international 
     organizations, academies, or other entities, including 
     organizations that support the interests of public safety 
     officers and public safety telecommunicators and the 
     interests of family members of public safety officers and 
     public safety telecommunicators.

     SEC. 1406. RECRUIT AND RETAIN ACT.

       (a) Improving COPS Grants for Police Hiring Purposes.--
       (1) Grant use expansion.--Section 1701(b) of title I of the 
     Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 
     10381(b)) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (23) as 
     paragraphs (6) through (24), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) to support hiring activities by law enforcement 
     agencies experiencing declines in officer recruitment 
     applications by reducing application-related fees, such as 
     fees for background checks, psychological evaluations, and 
     testing;''.
       (2) Technical amendment.--Section 1701(b)(23) of title I of 
     the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 
     U.S.C. 10381(b)(23)), as so redesignated, is amended by 
     striking ``(21)'' and inserting ``(22)''.
       (b) Administrative Costs.--Section 1701 of title I of the 
     Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 
     10381), as amended by section 1404, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (i) through (o) as 
     subsections (k) through (p), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following:
       ``(i) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 2 percent of a 
     grant made for the hiring or rehiring of additional career 
     law enforcement officers may be used for costs incurred to 
     administer such grant.''.
       (c) Pipeline Partnership Program.--Section 1701 of title I 
     of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 
     U.S.C. 10381), as amended by section 1404 and subsection (b), 
     is amended by inserting after subsection (p) the following:
       ``(q) COPS Pipeline Partnership Program.--
       ``(1) Eligible entity defined.--In this subsection, the 
     term `eligible entity' means a law enforcement agency in 
     partnership with not less than 1 educational institution, 
     which may include 1 or any combination of the following:
       ``(A) An elementary school.
       ``(B) A secondary school.
       ``(C) An institution of higher education.
       ``(D) A Hispanic-serving institution.
       ``(E) A historically Black college or university.
       ``(F) A Tribal college.
       ``(2) Grants.--The Attorney General shall award competitive 
     grants to eligible entities for recruiting activities that--
       ``(A) support substantial student engagement for the 
     exploration of potential future career opportunities in law 
     enforcement;
       ``(B) strengthen recruitment by law enforcement agencies 
     experiencing a decline in recruits, or high rates of 
     resignations or retirements;
       ``(C) enhance community interactions between local youth 
     and law enforcement agencies that are designed to increase 
     recruiting; and
       ``(D) otherwise improve the outcomes of local law 
     enforcement recruitment through activities such as dedicated 
     programming for students, work-based learning opportunities, 
     project-based learning, mentoring, community liaisons, career 
     or job fairs, work site visits, job shadowing, 
     apprenticeships, or skills-based internships.
       ``(3) Funding.--Of the amounts made available to carry out 
     this part for a fiscal year, the Attorney General may use not 
     more than $3,000,000 to carry out this subsection.''.
       (d) COPS Grant Guidance for Agencies Operating Below 
     Budgeted Strength.--Section 1704 of title I of the Omnibus 
     Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10384) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Guidance for Understaffed Law Enforcement Agencies.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Covered applicant.--The term `covered applicant' 
     means an applicant for a hiring grant under this part seeking 
     funding for a law enforcement agency operating below the 
     budgeted strength of the law enforcement agency.
       ``(B) Budgeted strength.--The term `budgeted strength' 
     means the employment of the maximum number of sworn law 
     enforcement officers the budget of a law enforcement agency 
     allows the agency to employ.
       ``(2) Procedures.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this subsection, the Attorney General shall 
     establish consistent procedures for covered applicants, 
     including guidance that--
       ``(A) clarifies that covered applicants remain eligible for 
     funding under this part; and
       ``(B) enables covered applicants to attest that the funding 
     from a grant awarded under this part is not being used by the 
     law enforcement agency to supplant State or local funds, as 
     described in subsection (a).
       ``(3) Paperwork reduction.--In developing the procedures 
     and guidance under paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall 
     take measures to reduce paperwork requirements for grants to 
     covered applicants.''.
       (e) Study on Police Recruitment.--
       (1) Study.--
       (A) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study to consider the comprehensive 
     effects of recruitment and attrition rates on Federal, State, 
     Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies in the United 
     States, to identify--
       (i) the primary reasons that law enforcement officers--

       (I) join law enforcement agencies; and
       (II) resign or retire from law enforcement agencies;

       (ii) how the reasons described in clause (i) may have 
     changed over time;
       (iii) the effects of recruitment and attrition on public 
     safety;
       (iv) the effects of electronic media on recruitment 
     efforts;
       (v) barriers to the recruitment and retention of Federal, 
     State, and local law enforcement officers; and
       (vi) recommendations for potential ways to address barriers 
     to the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, 
     including the barriers identified in clause (v).
       (B) Representative cross-section.--
       (i) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall endeavor to ensure accurate representation of 
     law enforcement agencies in the study conducted pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A) by surveying a broad cross-section of law 
     enforcement agencies--

       (I) from various regions of the United States;
       (II) of different sizes; and
       (III) from rural, suburban, and urban jurisdictions.

       (ii) Methods description.--The study conducted pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A) shall

[[Page S3337]]

     include in the report under paragraph (2) a description of 
     the methods used to identify a representative sample of law 
     enforcement agencies.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall--
       (A) submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate 
     and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives a report containing the study conducted under 
     paragraph (1); and
       (B) make the report submitted under subparagraph (A) 
     publicly available online.
       (3) Confidentiality.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall ensure that the study conducted under paragraph 
     (1) protects the privacy of participating law enforcement 
     agencies.

     SEC. 1407. ADMINISTRATIVE FALSE CLAIMS ACT OF 2023.

       (a) Change in Short Title.--
       (1) In general.--Subtitle B of title VI of the Omnibus 
     Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-509; 100 
     Stat. 1934) is amended--
       (A) in the subtitle heading, by striking ``Program Fraud 
     Civil Remedies'' and inserting ``Administrative False 
     Claims''; and
       (B) in section 6101 (31 U.S.C. 3801 note), by striking 
     ``Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986'' and inserting 
     ``Administrative False Claims Act''.
       (2) References.--Any reference to the Program Fraud Civil 
     Remedies Act of 1986 in any provision of law, regulation, 
     map, document, record, or other paper of the United States 
     shall be deemed a reference to the Administrative False 
     Claims Act.
       (b) Reverse False Claims.--Chapter 38 of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 3801(a)(3), by amending subparagraph (C) to 
     read as follows:
       ``(C) made to an authority which has the effect of 
     concealing or improperly avoiding or decreasing an obligation 
     to pay or transmit property, services, or money to the 
     authority,''; and
       (2) in section 3802(a)(3)--
       (A) by striking ``An assessment'' and inserting ``(A) 
     Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an assessment''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) In the case of a claim described in section 
     3801(a)(3)(C), an assessment shall not be made under the 
     second sentence of paragraph (1) in an amount that is more 
     than double the value of the property, services, or money 
     that was wrongfully withheld from the authority.''.
       (c) Increasing Dollar Amount of Claims.--Section 3803(c) of 
     title 31, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$150,000'' each place 
     that term appears and inserting ``$1,000,000''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Adjustment for Inflation.--The maximum amount in 
     paragraph (1) shall be adjusted for inflation in the same 
     manner and to the same extent as civil monetary penalties 
     under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
     (28 U.S.C. 2461 note).''.
       (d) Recovery of Costs.--Section 3806(g)(1) of title 31, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2)--
       ``(i) any amount collected under this chapter shall be 
     credited first to reimburse the authority or other Federal 
     entity that expended costs in support of the investigation or 
     prosecution of the action, including any court or hearing 
     costs; and
       ``(ii) amounts reimbursed under clause (i) shall--
       ``(I) be deposited in--
       ``(aa) the appropriations account of the authority or other 
     Federal entity from which the costs described in subparagraph 
     (A) were obligated;
       ``(bb) a similar appropriations account of the authority or 
     other Federal entity; or
       ``(cc) if the authority or other Federal entity expended 
     nonappropriated funds, another appropriate account; and
       ``(II) remain available until expended.
       ``(B) Any amount remaining after reimbursements described 
     in subparagraph (A) shall be deposited as miscellaneous 
     receipts in the Treasury of the United States.''.
       (e) Semiannual Reporting.--Section 405(c) of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) information relating to cases under chapter 38 of 
     title 31, including--
       ``(A) the number of reports submitted by investigating 
     officials to reviewing officials under section 3803(a)(1) of 
     such title;
       ``(B) actions taken in response to reports described in 
     subparagraph (A), which shall include statistical tables 
     showing--
       ``(i) pending cases;
       ``(ii) resolved cases;
       ``(iii) the average length of time to resolve each case;
       ``(iv) the number of final agency decisions that were 
     appealed to a district court of the United States or a higher 
     court; and
       ``(v) if the total number of cases in a report is greater 
     than 2--

       ``(I) the number of cases that were settled; and
       ``(II) the total penalty or assessment amount recovered in 
     each case, including through a settlement or compromise; and

       ``(C) instances in which the reviewing official declined to 
     proceed on a case reported by an investigating official; 
     and''.
       (f) Increasing Efficiency of DOJ Processing.--Section 
     3803(j) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The reviewing''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) A reviewing official shall notify the Attorney 
     General in writing not later than 30 days before entering 
     into any agreement to compromise or settle allegations of 
     liability under section 3802 and before the date on which the 
     reviewing official is permitted to refer allegations of 
     liability to a presiding officer under subsection (b).''.
       (g) Revision of Definition of Hearing Officials.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 38 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) in section 3801(a)(7)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (B)(vii), by adding ``or'' at the end; 
     and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) a member of the board of contract appeals pursuant to 
     section 7105 of title 41, if the authority does not employ an 
     available presiding officer under subparagraph (A);''; and
       (B) in section 3803(d)(2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) by striking ``the presiding'' and inserting ``(i) in 
     the case of a referral to a presiding officer described in 
     subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 3801(a)(7), the 
     presiding'';
       (II) in clause (i), as so designated, by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
       (III) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(ii) in the case of a referral to a presiding officer 
     described in subparagraph (C) of section 3801(a)(7)--
       ``(I) the reviewing official shall submit a copy of the 
     notice required by under paragraph (1) and of the response of 
     the person receiving such notice requesting a hearing--

       ``(aa) to the board of contract appeals that has 
     jurisdiction over matters arising from the agency of the 
     reviewing official pursuant to section 7105(e)(1) of title 
     41; or
       ``(bb) if the Chair of the board of contract appeals 
     declines to accept the referral, to any other board of 
     contract appeals; and

       ``(II) the reviewing official shall simultaneously mail, by 
     registered or certified mail, or shall deliver, notice to the 
     person alleged to be liable under section 3802 that the 
     referral has been made to an agency board of contract appeals 
     with an explanation as to where the person may obtain the 
     relevant rules of procedure promulgated by the board; and''; 
     and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) in the case of a hearing conducted by a presiding 
     officer described in subparagraph (C) of section 3801(a)(7)--
       ``(i) the presiding officer shall conduct the hearing 
     according to the rules and procedures promulgated by the 
     board of contract appeals; and
       ``(ii) the hearing shall not be subject to the provisions 
     in subsection (g)(2), (h), or (i).''.
       (2) Agency boards.--Section 7105(e) of title 41, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) Administrative false claims act.--
       ``(i) In general.--The boards described in subparagraphs 
     (B), (C), and (D) shall have jurisdiction to hear any case 
     referred to a board of contract appeals under section 3803(d) 
     of title 31.
       ``(ii) Declining referral.--If the Chair of a board 
     described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) determines that 
     accepting a case under clause (i) would prevent adequate 
     consideration of other cases being handled by the board, the 
     Chair may decline to accept the referral.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or, in the event that 
     a case is filed under chapter 38 of title 31, any relief that 
     would be available to a litigant under that chapter'' before 
     the period at the end.
       (3) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, each authority head, as defined in 
     section 3801 of title 31, United States Code, and each board 
     of contract appeals of a board described in subparagraph (B), 
     (C), or (D) of section 7105(e) of title 41, United States 
     Code, shall amend procedures regarding proceedings as 
     necessary to implement the amendments made by this 
     subsection.
       (h) Revision of Limitations.--Section 3808 of title 31, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (a) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(a) A notice to the person alleged to be liable with 
     respect to a claim or statement shall be mailed or delivered 
     in accordance with section 3803(d)(1) not later than the 
     later of--
       ``(1) 6 years after the date on which the violation of 
     section 3802 is committed; or
       ``(2) 3 years after the date on which facts material to the 
     action are known or reasonably should have been known by the 
     authority head, but in no event more than 10 years after the 
     date on which the violation is committed.''.
       (i) Definitions.--Section 3801 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;

[[Page S3338]]

       (B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) `material' has the meaning given the term in section 
     3729(b) of this title; and
       ``(11) `obligation' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 3729(b) of this title.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) For purposes of subsection (a)(10), materiality shall 
     be determined in the same manner as under section 3729 of 
     this title.''.
       (j) Promulgation of Regulations.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, each authority head, 
     as defined in section 3801 of title 31, United States Code, 
     shall--
       (1) promulgate regulations and procedures to carry out this 
     Act and the amendments made by this Act; and
       (2) review and update existing regulations and procedures 
     of the authority to ensure compliance with this Act and the 
     amendments made by this Act.

     SEC. 1408. JUSTICE FOR MURDER VICTIMS ACT.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 51 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 1123. No maximum time period between act or omission 
       and death of victim

       ``(a) In General.--A prosecution may be instituted for any 
     homicide offense under this title without regard to the time 
     that elapsed between--
       ``(1) the act or omission that caused the death of the 
     victim; and
       ``(2) the death of the victim.
       ``(b) Relation to Statute of Limitations.--Nothing in 
     subsection (a) shall be construed to supersede the 
     limitations period under section 3282(a), to the extent 
     applicable.
       ``(c) Maximum Time Period Applicable if Death Penalty 
     Imposed.--A sentence of death may not be imposed for a 
     homicide offense under this title unless the Government 
     proves beyond a reasonable doubt that not more than 1 year 
     and 1 day elapsed between--
       ``(1) the act or omission that caused the death of the 
     victim; and
       ``(2) the death of the victim.''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of sections for chapter 
     51 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

``1123. No maximum time period between act or omission and death of 
              victim.''.
       (c) Applicability.--Section 1123(a) of title 18, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with 
     respect to an act or omission described in that section that 
     occurs after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (d) Maximum Penalty for First-degree Murder Based on Time 
     Period Between Act or Omission and Death of Victim.--Section 
     1111(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting after ``imprisonment for life'' the following: ``, 
     unless the death of the victim occurred more than 1 year and 
     1 day after the act or omission that caused the death of the 
     victim, in which case the punishment shall be imprisonment 
     for any term of years or for life''.

     SEC. 1409. PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                   2023.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Launched in 2001, the Project Safe Neighborhoods 
     program is a nationwide initiative that brings together 
     Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officials, 
     prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to 
     identify the most pressing crime problems in a community and 
     work collaboratively to address those problems.
       (2) The Project Safe Neighborhoods program--
       (A) operates in all 94 Federal judicial districts 
     throughout the 50 States and territories of the United 
     States; and
       (B) implements 4 key components to successfully reduce 
     violent crime in communities, including community engagement, 
     prevention and intervention, focused and strategic 
     enforcement, and accountability.
       (b) Reauthorization.--
       (1) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Project Safe 
     Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 (? 34 
     U.S.C. 60701) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as 
     paragraphs (2), (4), and (5), respectively;
       (B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(1) the term crime analyst means an individual employed 
     by a law enforcement agency for the purpose of separating 
     information into key components and contributing to plans of 
     action to understand, mitigate, and neutralize criminal 
     threats;''; and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(3) the term law enforcement assistant means an 
     individual employed by a law enforcement agency or a 
     prosecuting agency for the purpose of aiding law enforcement 
     officers in investigative or administrative duties;''.
       (2) Use of funds.--Section 4(b) of the Project Safe 
     Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 (? 34 
     U.S.C. 60703(b)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking or at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) hiring crime analysts to assist with violent crime 
     reduction efforts;
       ``(6) the cost of overtime for law enforcement officers, 
     prosecutors, and law enforcement assistants that assist with 
     the Program; and
       ``(7) purchasing, implementing, and using technology to 
     assist with violent crime reduction efforts.''.
       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 6 of the 
     Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 
     2018 (? 34 U.S.C. 60705) is amended by striking ``fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2021'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2023 
     through 2028''.
       (c) Task Force Support.--
       (1) Short title.--This subsection may be cited as the 
     Officer Ella Grace French and Sergeant Jim Smith Task Force 
     Support Act of 2023.
       (2) Amendment.--Section 4(b) of the Project Safe 
     Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 (? 34 
     U.S.C. 60703(b)), as amended by subsection (c)(2), is 
     amended--
       (A) in paragraph (6), by striking and at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ; and; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) support for multi-jurisdictional task forces.''.
       (d) Transparency.--Not less frequently than annually, the 
     Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of 
     the House of Representatives a report that details, for each 
     area in which the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant 
     Program operates and with respect to the 1-year period 
     preceding the date of the report--
       (1) how the area spent funds under the Project Safe 
     Neighborhoods Block Grant Program;
       (2) the community outreach efforts performed in the area; 
     and
       (3) the number and a description of the violent crime 
     offenses committed in the area, including murder, non-
     negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated 
     assault.

     SEC. 1410. FEDERAL JUDICIARY STABILIZATION ACT OF 2024.

       (a) Existing Judgeships.--The existing judgeships for the 
     district of Hawaii, the district of Kansas, and the eastern 
     district of Missouri authorized by section 203(c) of the 
     Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-650; 28 
     U.S.C. 133 note) and the existing judgeships for the northern 
     district of Alabama, the district of Arizona, the central 
     district of California, the southern district of Florida, the 
     district of New Mexico, the western district of North 
     Carolina, and the eastern district of Texas authorized by 
     section 312(c) of the 21st Century Department of Justice 
     Appropriations Authorization Act (Public Law 107-273; 28 
     U.S.C. 133 note) shall, as of the effective date of this Act, 
     be authorized under section 133 of title 28, United States 
     Code, and the incumbents in those offices shall hold the 
     office under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as 
     amended by this Act.
       (b) Tables.--In order that the table contained in section 
     133 of title 28, United States Code, will, with respect to 
     each judicial district, reflect the changes in the total 
     number of permanent district judgeships authorized as a 
     result of subsection (a) of this section, such table is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking the items relating to Alabama and inserting 
     the following:


 
 
 
  ``Alabama:
  Northern.................................  8
  Middle...................................  3
  Southern.................................  3'';
 

       (2) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting 
     the following:


 
 
 
  ``Arizona                                  13'';
 

       (3) by striking the items relating to California and 
     inserting the following:


 
 
 
  ``California:
  Northern.................................  14
  Eastern..................................  6
  Central..................................  28
  Southern.................................  13'';
 

       (4) by striking the items relating to Florida and inserting 
     the following:


 
 
 
  ``Florida:
  Northern.................................  4
  Middle...................................  15
  Southern.................................  18'';
 

       (5) by striking the item relating to Hawaii and inserting 
     the following:


 
 
 
  ``Hawaii.................................  4'';
 

       (6) by striking the item relating to Kansas and inserting 
     the following:


 
 
 
  ``Kansas.................................  6'';
 

       (7) by striking the items relating to Missouri and 
     inserting the following:


 
 
 
  ``Missouri:
  Eastern..................................  7
  Western..................................  5
  Eastern and Western......................  2'';
 

       (8) by striking the item relating to New Mexico and 
     inserting the following:


 
 
 
  ``New Mexico                               7'';
 


[[Page S3339]]

       (9) by striking the items relating to North Carolina and 
     inserting the following:


 
 
 
  ``North Carolina:
  Eastern..................................  4
  Middle...................................  4
  Western..................................  5''; and
 

       (10) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting 
     the following:


 
 
 
  ``Texas:
  Northern.................................  12
  Southern.................................  19
  Eastern..................................  8
  Western..................................  13'';
 

       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this section and the amendments made by this section.
                                 ______