VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act
- Last Action
- 6/16/2021
Actions
- 2021-06-16Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2021-06-15Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2021-06-15On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2777-2778)
- 2021-06-15Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2777-2778)
- 2021-06-15DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2429.
- 2021-06-15Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2777-2778)
- 2021-06-15Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2021-05-04Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6.
- 2021-05-04Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
- 2021-05-04Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
- 2021-04-21Subcommittee Hearings Held.
- 2021-04-20Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
- 2021-04-08Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2021-04-08Introduced in House
- 2021-04-08Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-06-15 (53)
VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish policies and procedures related to the accountability and staffing of its police force.
Specifically, the bill requires the VA to publish specified summaries, statistics, and contact information related to the activities of VA police officers from the previous five-year period. The VA must ensure that each of its police forces is able to provide VA employees and members of the public who contact the force with contact information to directly contact the police force regarding the arrest, ticketing, detainment, use of force, or other police matters pertaining to the individual.
The bill requires VA police officers to wear body cameras that record and store audio and video. Additionally, the VA's guidance on the use of body cameras must be made publicly available.
Under the bill, the VA is required to track and analyze the following information regarding its police force:
- arrests made and tickets issued;
- prosecutions, ticketing, and other actions relating to such arrests;
- the use of force and weapon discharges; and
- complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
The VA must ensure each incident of the use of force is promptly reported to the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement functions. The Assistant Secretary must review and investigate each incident (including allegations) of the use of force by a VA police officer, including such situations where any person receives medical attention.
The VA must develop a plan that establishes minimum standards for police staffing at its facilities.
Cosponsors (2)
- Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-AS)
- Van Taylor (R-TX)
Subjects
- Congressional oversight
- Criminal justice information and records
- Evidence and witnesses
- Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
- Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
- Government information and archives
- Law enforcement officers
- Photography and imaging
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.