WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to keep local law enforcement and first responders safe from lethal narcotics exposure.
The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act would use existing Justice Department funds to equip state and local governments with additional training and containment tools to guard against accidental exposure to dangerous substances.
“Law enforcement officers and first responders work tirelessly to protect our communities. The federal government should do all we can to ensure these brave individuals are equally protected,” Grassley said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to equip state and local governments with tools to safeguard officers and responders from lethal narcotics exposure.”
“As we continue fighting the fentanyl epidemic, we must also protect the health and safety of our first responders who are on the front lines responding to this crisis,” Klobuchar said. “Our bipartisan bill does this by giving first responders the resources necessary to prevent secondary exposures with lifesaving containment devices.”
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Police officers and first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. Unfortunately, while responding to calls, they are often exposed to lethal substances such as fentanyl,” Joyce said. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to assist state and local governments with purchasing containment devices to protect first responders and police officers from secondary exposure. It is our duty to ensure that these men and women have all the necessary tools to keep themselves safe from these toxic drugs as they work every day to protect our communities.”
The bill is endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the International Union of Police Associations, the National Narcotics Officers Associations’ Coalition the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York Police Department.
Find bill text HERE. Click HERE to download broadcast-quality video of Grassley discussing the bill.
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