Hawley, Whitehouse Lead Reauthorization Effort for Program to Support Law Enforcement, Prevent Officer Suicides

Today U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced a bill to reauthorize the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, which provides grant funding for law enforcement family-support services and establishes suicide-prevention programs and mental health services for law enforcement officers.

The senators first introduced the STOICActin 2019 and it was signed into law later that year. Without action, the authorization for funding these critical programs will expire later this year.

"Men and women in blue continue to experience unprecedented hostility, new challenges, and low morale in the line of duty. The resources and support the STOIC Act provides are more important than ever," said Senator Hawley. "We must stand with those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and this legislation will help to do that."

"Police officers are the first on the scene to help other people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Officers see a lot, and they need access to mental health care to manage the toll of being on the frontlines every day," said Senator Whitehouse. "Our bipartisan STOICAct has delivered resources to help first responders and their loved ones in the years since we passed it, and I urge my colleagues to swiftly support its reauthorization."

Full text can be found here.