Texas Republicans are taking aim at bureaucratic delays within the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the reintroduction of the Officer John Barnes Act, legislation designed to expedite the processing of disability benefits claims for public safety officers.
The bill, spearheaded by Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Randy Weber, is named in honor of Officer John Barnes.
Santa Fe ISD police officer John Barnes was critically wounded during the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018. Barnes was the first officer to confront the gunman and was hit with a blast from a shotgun, which shredded an artery in his arm.
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Barnes had to be revived twice on the day of the shooting, and his arm had permanent damage. Barnes said he can’t fully extend his arm or turn his hand over. He also still experiences numbness and can’t lift heavy objects.
His bravery saved countless lives, but bureaucratic delays have marred his journey to secure disability benefits through the PSOB program.
The legislation, set to be reintroduced on Thursday, seeks to address these longstanding delays in the DOJ’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program, which provides financial support to officers disabled in the line of duty and to the families of those killed.
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The Officer John Barnes Act would amend Section 1205 of Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285) to require the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to make eligibility determinations within 270 days of receiving a claim.
Key provisions include:
- Timely Determinations: The BJA must inform claimants of their benefit eligibility status within 270 calendar days of receiving a claim.
- Accountability: The bill aims to reduce delays in processing claims, ensuring that public safety officers and their families receive timely support.
The Officer John Barnes Act is part of a broader effort to reform federal benefit programs and improve their accessibility and efficiency.
Similar measures have been proposed in recent years, reflecting growing bipartisan interest in streamlining government operations and reducing wait times for critical services.
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