Peace Officers Research Association of California

Federal Advocacy

Congress Advances PTSD, Public Safety, and Housing Legislation

Senate Passage of PTSD Legislation

This month, the Senate unanimously passed a package of five law enforcement-related bills, including the PORAC-endorsed Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Act (S. 825). Led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Chris Coons (D-DE), this legislation directs the Department of Justice to develop treatments for law enforcement officers and first responders who suffer from PTSD or acute stress disorders, and provides a pathway to appropriate care. The legislation now heads to the House for consideration, along with four other law enforcement bills, listed below:

  • Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act (S. 736) – this bill would upgrade the penalty for smuggling or possessing a contraband cellphone in federal prison from a misdemeanor to a felony.
  • Promoting Police Leadership Act (S. 4394) – this bill would task DOJ with developing a broad training framework for commander-level personnel in consultation with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, and other relevant partners.
  • Carla Walker Act (S. 1890) – this bill would dedicate federal grant funds to support forensic genetic genealogy DNA analysis to help solve cold cases.
  • Tribal Warrant Fairness Act (S. 3041) – this bill would allow the U.S. Marshals Service to assist Tribal law enforcement in tracking down criminals and searching for missing children.

Senate Companion to Monitor Accountability Act

The Monitor Accountability Act, introduced by Rep. Biggs (R-AZ) in May, addresses concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding federal court-appointed monitors in consent decrees. The legislation, which PORAC helped shape, would establish clear standards for monitor selection and oversight, require disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, and provide greater scrutiny of monitor performance and costs. These reforms are intended to ensure monitors operate independently and remain accountable to the courts and the communities affected by their work.

Following House passage of the bill (H.R. 8365) in May, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S. 4917). It closely matches the House version, with one change to the retroactive enforcement provision. The House bill requires new monitors for existing consent decrees within 180 days of enactment, while the Senate bill would make the change once the Judicial Conference finalizes its rules. Aside from this tweak, the Senate legislation maintains the crucial reforms to increase the accountability, transparency, and independence of federal monitorships. Having met with Sen. Kennedy’s staff in February to discuss consent decrees, PORAC applauds the Senator’s leadership on this issue and looks forward to ongoing collaboration.

Combating Illicit Xylazine Act Advances in the House

This month, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R. 1266), introduced by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and August Pfluger (R-TX), advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and now heads to the full committee for consideration. The bill, which PORAC has endorsed, would classify illicit xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, giving the DEA additional tools to track and combat its unlawful distribution. At the same time, the legislation preserves legitimate access to xylazine for veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers who rely on it as an animal tranquilizer.

The bill now awaits action by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. Earlier this year, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced companion legislation (S. 545), demonstrating bipartisan momentum in both chambers and improving the bill’s prospects for enactment during this Congress.

Congress Passes Major Housing Legislation

In a significant bipartisan achievement, the House and Senate passed the 21st Century Road to Housing Act (H.R. 6644), a sweeping measure aimed at improving housing affordability. The bill promotes awareness of VA home loan benefits, expands workforce housing eligibility under federal programs, and creates pilot programs for entry-level homeownership financing. Although it does not designate occupation-specific programs, it broadly cuts red tape, unlocks housing supply, and lowers costs—all of which would raise housing accessibility for law enforcement officers. Major housing legislation rarely advances through Congress, making this bill an important step forward. With housing affordability as one of its top-priority issues, PORAC welcomes this progress and will continue to support law enforcement-specific housing measures as well.

As of press time, President Trump has delayed signing the 21st Century Road to Housing Act into law until Congress approves a voter identification bill. With little time left for presidential action and growing friction between the President and Congress, the bill’s future remains to be seen.