Senate Unanimously Passes PSOB Reform Bill
The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program serves as a critical lifeline for the families of fallen law enforcement officers. However, longstanding administrative inefficiencies have often delayed the delivery of benefits, placing additional hardships on surviving families during an already difficult time. This month, the Senate took an important step toward addressing these challenges by unanimously passing legislation to reform and strengthen the PSOB program.
The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act (H.R. 7718 / S. 3897) includes several commonsense reforms that PORAC has long supported, including establishing timelines for PSOB determinations and expediting claims processing where appropriate. PORAC applauds the Senate’s action and remains a strong advocate for enactment of this legislation.
The bill now awaits consideration in the House. With the House currently scheduled to be in session for only one week in September before members return to their districts ahead of the midterm elections, the compressed legislative calendar will likely focus attention on government funding measures and other high-priority items. Action on the PSOB bill is likely to be deferred until the five-week lame-duck session following the elections. Regardless of the timeline, the Steptoe team will continue working to advance this legislation and advocate for the interests of peace officers and their families nationwide.
Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General
In August, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General. As the nation’s chief law enforcement officer and head of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Attorney General plays a significant role in shaping policies and programs that affect state and local law enforcement, including benefit programs, task force partnerships, grant funding, and oversight of the consent decree process. By a narrow 50-49 vote, the Senate placed Mr. Blanche at the helm of the Department.
During his tenure as Deputy Attorney General and Acting Attorney General, Mr. Blanche made notable progress on issues of importance to law enforcement. Most notably, the DOJ distributed an extraordinary $96 million in Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) payments during a four-week period in July. PORAC welcomed these efforts to deliver long-overdue benefits, honor officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, and provide critical support to their surviving families.
Following his confirmation, PORAC sent a letter to Attorney General Blanche expressing its interest in continuing a strong partnership with the Department. The letter thanked him for recent improvements to PSOB claims processing and for the Department’s efforts to resolve longstanding consent decrees. PORAC looks forward to working with Attorney General Blanche to uphold the rule of law, advance the priorities of California’s peace officers, and strengthen public safety nationwide.