S-1595 : Still Just a Bill

The "Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies Act," or the "Improving Police CARE Act" (S. 1595), aims to standardize trauma kits purchased by law enforcement agencies using funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

Key provisions of this legislation include:

• It mandates that any trauma kit purchased with these grant funds must meet performance standards established by the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). A trauma kit is defined as a first aid response kit capable of controlling life-threatening hemorrhages.
• The Director of the BJA, in consultation with medical and law enforcement professionals, is required to:
  • Develop and publish performance standards for trauma kits within 180 days of enactment.
  • Develop and publish optional best practices for training officers, deploying kits in vehicles, and maintaining kits in facilities.
• Minimum components for these trauma kits are specified and must include:
  • A tourniquet recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care.
  • A bleeding control bandage.
  • Nonlatex protective gloves and a pen-type marker.
  • Blunt-ended scissors.
  • Instructional documents from recognized sources such as the "Stop the Bleed" campaign, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, the American Red Cross, or a Department of Defense partner.
  • An adequately designed bag or container for the kit's contents.
  • Any additional trauma kit supplies approved by a State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agency or first responders that can treat traumatic injuries and be readily stored.

This Act ensures that law enforcement agencies are equipped with standardized, effective tools for emergency medical response.