Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-238
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Department of Justice
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement officers
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

 
 Amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to issue oleoresin capsicum spray to: (1) any Bureau officer or employee employed in a prison that is not a minimum or low security prison who may respond to an emergency situation in such prison; and (2) such additional prison officers and employees as the Director deems appropriate, subject to specified requirements.
 
Requires any such officer or employee to complete a training course before being issued such spray and annual training on the use of such spray. 
 
Authorizes Bureau officers and employees issued such spray to use it to reduce acts of violence committed by prisoners and prison visitors against themselves, other prisoners and visitors, and Bureau officers and employees.
 
Directs the Comptroller General, not later than three years after the date on which the Director begins to issue oleoresin capsicum spray to Bureau officers and employees, to submit to Congress a report that includes: (1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of issuing such spray on reducing crime in such prisons and acts of violence committed by prisoners against themselves and others, (2) an evaluation of the advisability of issuing such spray, and (3) recommendations to improve the safety of Bureau officers and employees in prisons.

action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to issue oleoresin capsicum spray (i.e., pepper spray) to officers and employees who respond to emergency situations at high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities. 

 
Officers and employees may use pepper spray to reduce violent acts by prisoners and visitors. 

 
An officer of employee must complete a training course prior to receiving pepper spray and annually thereafter on its use. 
 
(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office must: (1) evaluate the effect of issuing pepper spray on reducing crime and violence in high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities; (2) evaluate the advisability of issuing pepper spray at low- or minimum-security facilities; and (3) recommend safety improvements for BOP officers and employees. 

action_date: 2016-02-24
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)
 

Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to issue oleoresin capsicum spray (i.e., pepper spray) to officers and employees who respond to emergency situations at high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities.
 
 Officers and employees may use pepper spray to reduce violent acts by prisoners and visitors. 
 
An officer of employee must complete a training course prior to receiving pepper spray and annually thereafter on its use. 
 
(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office must: (1) evaluate the effect of issuing pepper spray on reducing crime and violence in high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities; (2) evaluate the advisability of issuing pepper spray at low- or minimum-security facilities; and (3) recommend safety improvements for BOP officers and employees. 

action_date: 2016-03-09
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)
 

Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to issue oleoresin capsicum spray (i.e., pepper spray) to officers and employees who respond to emergency situations at high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities.
 
 Officers and employees may use pepper spray to reduce violent acts by prisoners and visitors. 
 
An officer of employee must complete a training course prior to receiving pepper spray and annually thereafter on its use. 
 
(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office must: (1) evaluate the effect of issuing pepper spray on reducing crime and violence in high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities; (2) evaluate the advisability of issuing pepper spray at low- or minimum-security facilities; and (3) recommend safety improvements for BOP officers and employees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-09
text: Became Public Law No: 114-133.
action_date: 2016-03-09
text: Became Public Law No: 114-133.
action_date: 2016-03-09
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-03-09
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H865-866)
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H865-866)
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 238.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H865-869)
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8703-8704)
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S8703-8704)
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8703-8704)
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8703-8704)
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 114-133