Improving Police CARE Act

The Improving Police CARE Act would require the Department of Justice to develop and publish standards for trauma kits and best practices for law enforcement agencies on their maintenance and use. The DOJ would consult with the private sector and state and local law enforcement agencies when developing these standards. The bill would also prohibit law enforcement agencies receiving federal grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program from purchasing trauma kits that do not meet the DOJ's established standards.

The bill addresses a practical concern in emergency response: law enforcement officers are often the first responders to traumatic injuries, and immediate access to quality trauma kits can be critical when emergency medical services response times exceed several minutes. By establishing uniform standards, the legislation aims to ensure that officers across the country have access to consistent, high-quality equipment for responding to life-threatening injuries.

The bill passed the Senate and is now being considered by the House of Representatives. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing the bill would cost the Department of Justice less than $500,000 to develop and publish the standards and best practices. The legislation has bipartisan support and was advanced as part of a broader package of law enforcement-focused bills.