HR5864-119

What This Bill Does

The Improving Police CARE Act adds trauma-kit standards to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act grant framework. A grantee may use covered grant funds to buy a trauma kit only if the kit meets performance standards published by the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Agencies may still buy the components separately and assemble compliant kits themselves. Within 180 days, BJA must consult with trauma surgeons, emergency medical response professionals, emergency physicians, other medical professionals, State and local law enforcement agencies, professional law enforcement organizations, law enforcement labor or representative organizations, and law enforcement trade associations. BJA must then publish performance standards requiring at least a tourniquet recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, a bleeding control bandage, nonlatex gloves and a marker, blunt-ended scissors, approved instructional documents such as Stop the Bleed or American Red Cross materials, a suitable bag or container, and additional approved supplies that can treat traumatic injury and be stored in a ready kit. BJA must also publish optional best practices for officer training, kit deployment and maintenance in vehicles, and kit location and maintenance in law enforcement or other government facilities.

Who Benefits and How

Law enforcement officers benefit because grant-funded kits must contain bleeding-control tools suited for life-threatening hemorrhage. People injured during emergencies benefit from faster access to standardized tourniquets, bandages, gloves, scissors, and instructions before EMS arrival. State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies benefit because BJA standards define what trauma kits can be bought with federal funds and allow separate component assembly. Trauma surgeons and emergency medical professionals benefit because the consultation process gives medical experts input into minimum kit standards. Trauma kit suppliers benefit when compliant kits and components become the grant-eligible purchasing standard.

Who Bears the Burden and How

BJA staff must consult stakeholders and publish performance standards and optional best practices within 180 days. Grant recipients must ensure any trauma kits bought with covered federal funds meet BJA performance standards. Law enforcement agencies may need to update procurement, training, vehicle deployment, maintenance, and facility placement practices. Suppliers whose kits lack the required components may lose eligibility for grant-funded purchases unless they update products.

Key Provisions

• Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to define trauma kit as a first aid response kit with bleeding-control capability.
• Requires grant-funded trauma kits to meet BJA performance standards before grantees may purchase them with covered funds.
• Authorizes grantees to separately acquire components and assemble complete compliant kits.
• Directs BJA to consult medical, emergency response, law enforcement, labor, and trade groups within 180 days.
• Requires minimum components including a tactical tourniquet, bleeding control bandage, gloves, marker, blunt-ended scissors, instructional documents, container, and approved added supplies.
• Directs optional best practices for officer training, law enforcement vehicle deployment, and facility placement and maintenance.