Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026

Section 2: Adding Section 1205(f) requires the Bureau to notify claimants of missing info within 90 days and make a final determination within 270 days, which helps families get answers faster without endless waiting.

Section 2: Adding Section 1205(f)(3) ensures that if the Bureau drags its feet past 270 days, it must issue interim benefit payments, providing financial relief to people while they wait for a final decision.

Section 2: Amending Section 1206(b) forces the Bureau to issue subpoenas to public agencies that fail to hand over requested documents within 30 days, holding uncooperative agencies accountable and speeding up claims.

Section 3: Adding Section 1201(c) creates a brand-new benefit specifically for officers who are permanently and partially disabled from line-of-duty injuries and can no longer do their job, giving them financial support they previously could not get.

Section 4: Adding Section 1205(b)(4) speeds up death benefit approvals by automatically accepting certifications from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund or the World Trade Center Health Program, saving families from unnecessary red tape.

Section 2: Adding Section 1205(f)(3)(B) states that any interim benefits paid out must be repaid in cases of fraud or material misrepresentation, which could place a financial burden on individuals if an error or miscommunication occurs.

Section 3: Adding Section 1201(c)(3) mandates that if a partially disabled officer later dies from that same injury, their final death benefit is reduced by whatever partial disability money they already received, meaning families could end up with less total financial help in the end.