Bipartisan law will help law enforcement better respond to mental health, trauma incidents

(ABC 6 News) – This week, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, and Jon Ossoff (D-GA.) saw their bipartisan bill that seeks to improve public safety signed into law.

The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act will fund training programs to help law enforcement better recognize, understand and assist individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“I’m glad our bipartisan TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act has been signed into law. It will help provide training to law enforcement on how to recognize symptoms of traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder so they can better assist people with these conditions, which in turn will help improve public safety. I’m grateful for police and all first responders who are willing to confront unpredictable emergency situations in service to their communities,” Grassley said.

The law will fund new training programs to help first responders better recognize and assist individuals with PTSD or a TBI, which contribute to approximately three million emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths each year. These trainings would be included in the Police Mental Health Collaboration Kit – a no-cost training tool that provides resources for law enforcement agencies to effectively respond to calls for service.

Grassley and Ossoff’s bill is widely supported by law enforcement and mental health organizations from around the country.