S.Amdt. 6647

This amendment, known as the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026, aims to expand and improve the process for public safety officers to receive benefits. It proposes to add these changes to bill S. 4784.

Key Changes and Additions:

• Claim Processing and Timelines:

  • The Bureau must notify claimants or agencies of missing information within 90 calendar days of a claim.
  • A final determination on eligibility must be made within 270 calendar days after all information is received.
  • If the Bureau misses the 270-day deadline, it must issue a single interim benefit payment to undisputed beneficiaries or an escrow account.

• Accountability and Oversight:

  • The Comptroller General will conduct annual audits of claims pending for more than one year to find why they are delayed.
  • The Bureau must provide summaries of backlogged claims to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
  • The Attorney General must ensure the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance implements specific GAO recommendations regarding transparency and program management.

• Information Gathering:

  • The Bureau is required to issue a subpoena to a public agency if necessary documentation is not provided within 30 days of a request (unless a 60-day extension is approved).

• Outreach and Eligibility:

  • The Bureau must perform ongoing outreach to ensure public safety officers, disabled officers, and underserved agencies are aware of the program.
  • Claims should be approved if the World Trade Center Health Program or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund provides certification of facts, unless there is clear and convincing evidence otherwise.
  • The amendment adds a specific definition for gainful work.