Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (10 Aug 2026): Held at the desk.
What this bill does
The bill would change how the federal Public Safety Officers' Benefits program handles claims. It requires the Bureau to notify claimants within 90 days about any missing information, and to issue a final, appealable eligibility decision within 270 days of receiving complete information. If the Bureau misses that 270-day deadline, it must issue a single interim benefit payment (to an undisputed beneficiary, or into escrow if beneficiary status is unresolved), which is credited against any final award and generally cannot be clawed back except in cases of fraud. The bill also requires the Bureau to use subpoena power to obtain agency records needed to process claims, mandates ongoing outreach to public safety agencies and disabled officers, and directs annual GAO audits of claims pending more than a year. It fixes a related benefits determination for claims tied to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund or World Trade Center Health Program, and requires implementation of prior GAO recommendations on the program within 180 days of enactment.
It primarily affects public safety officers, their survivors, and dependents applying for federal death, disability, or educational assistance benefits, as well as the Bureau of Justice Assistance and public agencies that supply claim-related records.
The bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on August 7, 2026, with an amendment, sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026
This bill establishes processing timelines and expands claims assistance, outreach, and reporting requirements pertaining to claims for benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors.
This bill requires the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to notify a claimant of any missing information required to process a claim within 90 days of receiving the claim and generally requires the BJA to determine eligibility within 270 days of a completed claim.
In addition, the bill requires the BJA to use its subpoena authority to obtain information or documentation that is necessary to adjudicate a claim if a public agency fails to provide it 30 days after a request.
Under the bill, the BJA must conduct ongoing outreach to promote awareness of the PSOB program. The BJA must also report on whether a delay in processing a claim was due to the inaction of the claimant or the public agency from which information is required.
The bill requires the BJA to implement the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in the 2024 report, Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Transparency, Claims Assistance, and Program Management Improvements Needed.
Finally, the GAO must conduct an annual audit of PSOB claims that have been pending for more than one year.
Timeline
10 Aug 2026
Held at the desk.
Common questions
- What does S. 3897 do?
- The bill would change how the federal Public Safety Officers' Benefits program handles claims. It requires the Bureau to notify claimants within 90 days about any missing information, and to issue a final, appealable eligibility decision within 270 days of receiving complete information. If the Bureau misses that 270-day deadline, it must issue a single interim benefit payment (to an undisputed beneficiary, or into escrow if beneficiary status is unresolved), which is credited against any final award and generally cannot be clawed back except in cases of fraud. The bill also requires the Bureau to use subpoena power to obtain agency records needed to process claims, mandates ongoing outreach to public safety agencies and disabled officers, and directs annual GAO audits of claims pending more than a year. It fixes a related benefits determination for claims tied to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund or World Trade Center Health Program, and requires implementation of prior GAO recommendations on the program within 180 days of enactment. It primarily affects public safety officers, their survivors, and dependents applying for federal death, disability, or educational assistance benefits, as well as the Bureau of Justice Assistance and public agencies that supply claim-related records. The bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on August 7, 2026, with an amendment, sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
- Has S. 3897 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3897. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3897?
- S. 3897 was sponsored by Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (D-NY), with 14 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3897?
- Held at the desk. (10 Aug 2026).
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