Bill Overview
Title: TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act
Description: This bill requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to consult with relevant agencies to establish crisis intervention training tools for first responders to address individuals with traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The BJA must ensure that at least one police department designated as a Law Enforcement Mental Health Learning Site utilizes the tools and that such tools are part of the Police-Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit. Additionally, the bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study and report about the prevalence and incidence of concussions among first responders.
Sponsors: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Estimated Size: 14000000
- First responders will be directly impacted as they will receive new training tools for interacting with individuals with TBI and PTSD.
- Individuals with traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder will be impacted due to potentially improved interactions with law enforcement and first responders.
- Families of individuals with TBI and PTSD may also be indirectly impacted due to changes in how their loved ones are treated by first responders.
- Communities at large could benefit from first responders being better equipped to handle situations involving TBI and PTSD, potentially leading to better outcomes in crisis situations.
- The general population with TBI and PTSD, both currently diagnosed and undiagnosed, may be impacted by increased awareness and improved protocols in emergency situations.
- Law enforcement agencies will likely need to allocate resources (time, personnel) to facilitate training sessions, thereby impacting their operational procedures.
Reasoning
- The budget constraints allow the policy to focus on training a significant portion of the first responder population in key areas, ensuring that the training is impactful. However, not all first responder agencies may be covered immediately, suggesting gradual implementation.
- The policy's direct impact is on first responders and individuals with TBI or PTSD, given the measures for developing training tools and promoting better handling of related cases.
- Indirectly, families and communities are expected to experience positive changes due to potentially better crisis handling and understanding of these conditions.
- The training and research initiatives aim to improve overall awareness, which may heighten sensitivity and proper response, even in areas not directly undergoing training right away.
- The presence of pilot sites for training ensures measured, trackable outcomes that can shape further budget allocations and expansions in the future.
Simulated Interviews
Police Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a police officer, I've seen firsthand how mental health issues can affect situations. Having specific training for handling TBI and PTSD can prevent escalations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Firefighter (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Given the situations we encounter, such as car accidents where drivers may have had TBIs, this policy will provide necessary guidance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
EMT (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel somewhat unprepared when dealing with individuals who may have severe mental health or neurological issues. This policy could address this gap.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Police Chief (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy mandates might sound burdensome, but they're crucial for public safety and can really make a difference in how we manage crisis situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired Veteran (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improvements in how first responders handle PTSD can lead to significant lifestyle improvements for veterans like myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Mother of a child with TBI (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The thought that first responders will be trained about TBI scenarios gives me hope for my child’s safety in emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Paramedic (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Military experience taught me the value of PTSD awareness. It's crucial, and training at this level is long overdue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Social Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Integration of TBI/PTSD training into law enforcement practices would enhance the collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary teams.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Psychologist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy represents a foundational step in integrating psychological insights into policing, leading to better community relationships.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Psychiatrist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A systemic approach to training first responders can revolutionize treatment adherence and crisis management in real-world settings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $12500000 (Low: $10000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $13000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $16000000)
Year 3: $13500000 (Low: $12000000, High: $17000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $19000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill's implementation is critical for ensuring that first responders are equipped to handle situations involving individuals with TBI or PTSD effectively.
- Collaboration between multiple agencies will be necessary to ensure successful rollout and continual improvement of training materials.
- Budgetary allocations will need to account for initial high costs of development and training, alongside possible reductions in spending over time due to efficiency gains.