Houston Daily

Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02), Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), and Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at aiding law enforcement agencies in handling concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) experienced by first responders.

The proposed legislation, known as the Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act, mandates that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) improve its current TBI and concussion data systems to focus on injuries incurred by police officers and other public safety workers. This would help in developing best practices for recognizing and treating these conditions and disseminating this information to mental health care providers. It also aims to back research into connections between TBIs, stress-related disorders, and increased suicide risks among law enforcement officers.

“Far too often, the invisible wounds suffered by our first responders are overlooked,” stated Congressman Dan Crenshaw. “This legislation ensures that the same level of care given to athletes and military personnel is extended to our law enforcement officers. It's a commonsense step to safeguard those who protect us.”

“Every day, Minnesota’s first responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe and we owe it to them to ensure their safety and wellbeing too,” commented Congresswoman Angie Craig. “I’m proud to be introducing this bill with my bipartisan colleagues to ensure local law enforcement agencies have the resources and information they need to address concussions and traumatic brain injuries on their teams.”

“Our public safety officers are often placing their lives in danger as they work to protect us and sometimes that danger can be physical and result in traumatic brain injury,” noted Congressman Don Bacon. “This legislation is needed so we can care for those who protect us.”

"Day in and day out, our brave law enforcement officers are hard at work keeping our communities safe, often in dangerous situations that put them at risk for serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries," said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. "It is our responsibility to ensure that they receive the treatment they need, and I'm proud to support this bipartisan legislation, which will expand support for public safety officers recovering from traumatic brain injuries."

The bill has received backing from key law enforcement organizations, such as the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association.

Crenshaw and Craig introduced this bill in the House as a counterpart to similar bipartisan legislation in the Senate, led by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).