Indy Standard

U.S. Senator Todd Young has recently co-sponsored two legislative measures aimed at bolstering support for local law enforcement and first responders. "Our police officers are on the front lines every day making sacrifices to protect Hoosiers. I’m glad to join these efforts to ensure our law enforcement officers have the support necessary to continue keeping our communities safe," said Senator Young.

The first piece of legislation, the Invest to Protect Act, was introduced by Young alongside Senators Chuck Grassley and Catherine Cortez Masto. This bill is designed to assist local law enforcement agencies in areas such as training, recruitment, retention, and mental health support. It proposes the creation of a special grant program within the Department of Justice (DOJ) targeting agencies with fewer than 175 full-time sworn officers, which represents the majority of U.S. law enforcement agencies. The bill stipulates that completing the grant application should take no longer than 30 minutes.

Additionally, Senator Young has collaborated with Senators Grassley and Chris Coons on legislation focused on enhancing mental health services for first responders across the nation. The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Act mandates that the DOJ develop treatment programs for personnel in police, fire, emergency medical services, and 911 operations who experience PTSD or acute stress disorders.

Both pieces of legislation have been previously co-sponsored by Young in earlier congressional sessions and were passed by the Senate during the 118th Congress.