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HR 2429 117th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Congressional oversight Criminal justice information and records Evidence and witnesses Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government ethics and transparency, public corruption Government information and archives Law enforcement officers Photography and imaging

VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act

Introduced: April 8, 2021 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 16, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 15, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 15, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2777-2778)
Jun 15, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2777-2778)
Jun 15, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2429.
Jun 15, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2777-2778)
Jun 15, 2021
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 4, 2021
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6.
May 4, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 4, 2021
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
Apr 21, 2021
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Apr 20, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Apr 8, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 8, 2021
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish policies and procedures related to the accountability and staffing of its police force.

Specifically, the bill requires the VA to publish specified summaries, statistics, and contact information related to the activities of VA police officers from the previous five-year period. The VA must ensure that each of its police forces is able to provide VA employees and members of the public who contact the force with contact information to directly contact the police force regarding the arrest, ticketing, detainment, use of force, or other police matters pertaining to the individual.

The bill requires VA police officers to wear body cameras that record and store audio and video. Additionally, the VA's guidance on the use of body cameras must be made publicly available.

Under the bill, the VA is required to track and analyze the following information regarding its police force:

  • arrests made and tickets issued;
  • prosecutions, ticketing, and other actions relating to such arrests;
  • the use of force and weapon discharges; and
  • complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions.

The VA must ensure each incident of the use of force is promptly reported to the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement functions. The Assistant Secretary must review and investigate each incident (including allegations) of the use of force by a VA police officer, including such situations where any person receives medical attention.

The VA must develop a plan that establishes minimum standards for police staffing at its facilities.

What's happening now June 16, 2021

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1