House Sends Reschenthaler, Dean Bill to Improve Mental Health Care for Law Enforcement Officers to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, S. 998, the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a unanimous voteand now heads to the President's desk for signature. This bipartisan bill is the Senate companion to legislation introduced by Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) and Madeline Dean (PA-04) and will improve mental health treatment and support for our nation's law enforcement officers, especially as it relates to suicide prevention. Last month, the House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 2368 by a voice vote, while the Senate passed its companion S. 998 by unanimous consent in May.
"Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities," said Rep. Reschenthaler. "But the critical work these men and women undertake does not come without cost. I am proud to work with my fellow Pennsylvanian, Congresswoman Dean, to get this done so we can improve mental health treatment for police officers throughout Pennsylvania and across our country."
"Every day, our law enforcement professionals don their uniforms, show up at work, and take on the extraordinary responsibility of keeping us safe," said Rep. Dean. "Yet that work can exact a heavy toll. The STOIC Act responds to a growing emergency in the law enforcement community by providing critical funding for mental health support. I thank Rep. Reschenthaler for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to continuing our efforts together."
"The Supporting and Treating Offices in Crisis Act will help save the lives of law enforcement officers across the country," said Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. "As the son of a Georgia State Trooper, I understand the sacrifices law enforcement officers and their families make every day. I'm encouraged by how many of my colleagues put their support behind this bill, and want to thank my friend, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, for introducing this bill and helping send it to the president's desk."
The stress endured by our nation's law enforcement officers can cause health conditions such as high blood pressure and post-traumatic stress disorder. Alarmingly, it has also resulted in a suicide rate that is 50 percent higher than the national average.
According to the National Study of Police Suicides, officers are 2.5 times more likely to die from suicides than from homicides. This sobering statistic means that law enforcement officers are more likely to die from suicide than in the line of duty.
The STOIC Act will address this problem by allowing family-services grant program funding to be used to establish suicide prevention programs and support officers suffering from stress and mental health issues. The program will be authorized at $7.5 million annually for Fiscal Years 2020 through 2024.
The bill has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriff's Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Association of Police Organizations, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National District Attorney's Association, and the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
"I am proud that my colleagues in the House voted to prioritize the mental health of our law enforcement officers by passing the STOIC Act," said Reschenthaler. "Thank you for helping us take care of those who take care of us."
To view my remarks on House floor, click here.
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