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HR8832119th Congress

Supporting Women COPS Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

Introduced

Summary

Increase women's recruitment, retention, and leadership in law enforcement. This bill would create a time‑bound Task Force to study State hiring standards, craft national hiring standards that avoid disadvantaging applicants based on sex, and make recommendations to improve female officer retention and advancement.

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  • Women officers: The Task Force would recommend standards for physical fitness, critical thinking, and communication and propose retention steps that address barriers such as physical fitness after childbirth and childcare. These recommendations aim to reduce sex‑based disadvantages in hiring and promotion.
  • States: A State that adopts the Task Force recommendations would receive an additional amount equal to 5 percent of its Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award, for use on JAG‑authorized purposes.
  • Federal role and timeline: The Attorney General would appoint a 12‑member Task Force, may provide technical assistance to States, and the Task Force would report its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Extra Justice Grant Money for States

If enacted, beginning in the fiscal year after the Task Force issues recommendations, a State that adopts those recommendations would receive extra grant money. The extra payment would equal 5 percent of the State's usual annual Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant award. The extra money would be in addition to the State's normal JAG payment and could be used for the same JAG purposes. Congress would be authorized to appropriate whatever sums are necessary each applicable year to fund these supplemental payments.

Attorney General Technical Help for States

If enacted, the Attorney General would be authorized to provide technical assistance to help States adopt the Task Force recommendations. The Attorney General would not be required to offer this help. Congress would be authorized to appropriate whatever sums are necessary to carry out that technical assistance.

Task Force for Women Officers

If enacted, this bill would create a 12-member Task Force on Women in Law Enforcement. The Attorney General would appoint members from specified categories. The Task Force would study State hiring standards and propose national hiring standards that do not disadvantage applicants by sex, including fitness, critical thinking, and communication. It would also make recommendations on female retention (including fitness after childbirth and childcare) and on advancement to leadership. The Task Force would report findings and recommendations to Congress not later than 18 months after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

NC • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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