S 1511
117th Congress
Senate
Crime and Law Enforcement
Administrative remedies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Department of Justice
Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Health personnel
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Law enforcement officers
Neurological disorders
New York City
Terrorism
Worker safety and health
Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021
Everywhere this bill has been
25 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 18, 2021
Signed by President.
Nov 18, 2021
Became Public Law No: 117-61.
Nov 16, 2021
Presented to President.
Nov 8, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 4, 2021
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1511 by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8054)
Nov 4, 2021
Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1511 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8054)
Oct 28, 2021
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Oct 27, 2021
Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 27, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1511.
Oct 27, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 27, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 3 (Roll no. 338). (text: CR H5948-5950)
Oct 27, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 3 (Roll no. 338).(text: CR H5948-5950)
Oct 27, 2021
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5954)
Oct 27, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Oct 27, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5948-5953)
Jun 14, 2021
Held at the desk.
Jun 14, 2021
Received in the House.
Jun 14, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jun 10, 2021
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S4499-4501)
Jun 10, 2021
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S4499-4501)
Jun 10, 2021
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4499-4501)
Jun 10, 2021
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
May 13, 2021
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Apr 29, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 29, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Votes taken on this bill
1
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2021 | House · vote #338 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended | Passed | 420–3 | See who voted → |
Plain-English summary
Protecting America's First Responders Act of 2021
This bill makes changes to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty or permanently disabled as a result of catastrophic injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Among the changes, the bill
- expands the public safety officers eligible for coverage under the PSOB program to include firefighters whose primary duty during an emergency response is to secure the scene or manage traffic and cadets or trainees in candidate-officer training;
- extends coverage under the PSOB program to certain public safety officers responding outside their jurisdiction;
- increases the interim benefit amount payable on a claim for death benefits and requires the interim amount to be adjusted annually for inflation;
- increases the benefit amount payable on a death or disability claim that has been pending for more than 365 days on the date of the final determination;
- allows the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use investigative tools, including subpoenas, to expedite the processing of claims and obtain information or documentation from third parties (e.g., public agencies);
- specifies that an injury resulting from a neurocognitive disorder qualifies as a catastrophic injury for the purposes of disability benefits;
- requires (currently, authorizes) DOJ to provide retroactive education benefits to qualifying children and spouses;
- specifies that hearing officers appointed to review claims are special government employees (i.e., employees who perform temporary duties for a limited period of time) and are authorized to conduct examinations;
- allows responders to the World Trade Center or their surviving family members to file claims for death or disability benefits in certain circumstances; and
- extends the period during which public safety officers who die or become injured as a result of COVID-19 are eligible for benefits.
What's happening now
Became Public Law No: 117-61.
Committees of jurisdiction
1