Senator Young sponsors 2 bills to support local law enforcement and first responders

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) recently cosponsored two pieces of legislation to better support local law enforcement officers.

“Our police officers are on the front lines every day making sacrifices to protect Hoosiers. I’m glad to join these efforts to ensure our law enforcement officers have the support necessary to continue keeping our communities safe,” said Senator Young.   

Young introduced the Invest to Protect Act with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) to help local law enforcement agencies invest in training, recruitment and retention, and mental health support. The Invest to Protect Act would also create a special grant program within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support hiring and resources for agencies with under 175 officers, as the majority of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. have fewer than 175 full-time sworn officers. The bill requires that the grant application take no longer than 30 minutes to complete so applicants can spend their time protecting their communities instead of navigating bureaucratic red tape. 

Senator Young also introduced legislation with Senators Grassley and Chris Coons (D-Del.) to enhance mental health services for first responders nationwide. The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Act would direct the DOJ to develop treatment programs for police, fire, and emergency medical and 911 personnel who suffer from PTSD or acute stress disorders. 

Young cosponsored the Invest to Protect Act and the Fighting PTSD Act in previous Congresses, and both bills passed the Senate during the 118^th Congress.