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S3897119th CongressWALLET

Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Passed Senate

Summary

Speeds and stabilizes death benefit payments for public safety officers by forcing quicker decisions, allowing time‑bound interim payments, adding subpoena authority, and requiring GAO‑driven program fixes. The law also creates a presumptive approval path tied to Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program certifications and fixes definition and cross‑reference errors to improve eligibility clarity.

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  • Families of fallen officers: Families can receive interim death payments if a final determination is not issued within 270 days, and the program must notify claimants of missing information within 90 days.
  • Claimants and disabled officers: Claimants, including disabled officers, get expanded outreach to underserved agencies and a presumptive, expedited approval path when the Victim Compensation Fund or World Trade Center Health Program certifies eligibility.
  • Program managers and agencies: The Bureau gains subpoena power to obtain needed records from public agencies, the Comptroller General must audit claims older than one year, and the Attorney General must ensure GAO recommendations are implemented within 180 days.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster approval for 9/11‑related claims

If your claim is certified by the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund for death benefits, the Bureau would presume approval. The same presumption would apply if the World Trade Center Health Program certifies the death as related. The Bureau would be able to overturn this only with clear and convincing evidence.

Faster benefits and interim checks for officers

The Bureau of Justice Assistance would have to tell you what is missing within 90 days after you file. After it has all required information, it would have 270 days to issue a decision. If it misses that deadline, it would make one interim payment, paid to undisputed beneficiaries or into escrow if that is not settled. The interim amount would count toward the final award and would not be taken back unless there is fraud or material misrepresentation. For records held by public agencies, if documents are not provided within 30 days of request, the Bureau would issue a subpoena, unless it gives up to 60 more days. Getting the interim payment would count as the Bureau’s notice of a final, appealable decision.

Annual audits and backlog reports for benefits

The Government Accountability Office would audit claims pending more than one year, every year. Audits would review where cases stand, why they are delayed, use of subpoenas, and outreach and assistance. Within 30 days after it posts a report, the Bureau would send backlog summaries to Congress. Within 180 days after enactment, the Attorney General would ensure fixes from a 2024 GAO report are in place.

Clarifies 'gainful work' for disability claims

The bill would define “gainful work” by using the definition in 28 C.F.R. § 32.23. This would guide who qualifies for disability benefits and when payments continue. Tying the term to regulation could either expand or narrow eligibility in future updates.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/18/2026

  • Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

    ME • R

    Sponsored 6/4/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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