Senator Klobuchar Announces Committee Approval of Key Bills to Support First Responders and Enhance Crime Investigation

(KNSI) — Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has announced the unanimous approval of two key bills by the Senate Judiciary Committee aimed at supporting first responders and enhancing crime investigation resources.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act is a bipartisan initiative to expand federal support for families of first responders who die from cancer caused by service-related exposure to carcinogens. It also extends disability benefits to those who become permanently disabled due to such cancer. Currently, the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program covers only physical injuries, heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions like PTSD, and 9/11-related illnesses.

The bill was introduced in honor of St. Paul Fire Captain Michael Paidar, who died in 2020 from Acute Myeloid Leukemia due to duty-related carcinogen exposure. In 2021, following vigorous advocacy by the Paidar family, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety granted line-of-duty benefits to Captain Michael Paidar’s widow, Julie. This marked the first instance of a firefighter’s family receiving benefits for duty-related cancer under Minnesota’s state public safety benefits program. This bill aims to ensure similar federal benefits for first responders nationwide.

Senator Klobuchar emphasized the importance of this bill, stating, “Our first responders put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and it’s unacceptable that officers who succumb to cancer from work-related exposure or become permanently and totally disabled don’t receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty.”

The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act, co-led by Klobuchar and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), also passed the committee. This bipartisan bill allows law enforcement agencies to hire retired officers for civilian law enforcement tasks, thereby improving the investigation of carjackings and other crimes and assisting in training new officers.

Senator Grassley added, “Criminal trends threaten Americans’ peace and safety and strain law enforcement resources. Retired officers who are willing and able to continue working to protect our communities should have our support to do so. I’m glad to see this innovative and commonsense measure move forward amid National Police Week.”

Both bills have garnered broad support, including endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

Additionally, the committee passed the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, which Klobuchar supports. This legislation provides grant funding for law enforcement family-support services and establishes suicide prevention and mental health programs for officers.

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