Community Outpost Outreach and Engagement Act

Bill: 116-hr-7245
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6]
Introduced: 2020-06-18
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Community life and organization

Congressional oversight

Crime prevention

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Health care coverage and access

Housing and community development funding

Law enforcement administration and funding

Law enforcement officers
Latest action: action_date: 2020-06-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-06-18
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Community Outpost Outreach and Engagement Act</strong></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to make grants for establishing and operating community outpost houses to provide long-term stabilization in the relationship of law enforcement and the community.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7245 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 18, 2020 Mr. Emmer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To direct the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to carry out a pilot program to establish community outpost houses, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Community Outpost Outreach and Engagement Act . 2. COP House pilot program (a) Authorization The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to carry out a pilot program to make grants to eligible applicant to establish and operate community outpost houses (referred to in this section as COP houses ). (b) Purpose The purpose of the pilot program is to provide long-term stabilization in the relationship of law enforcement and the community by— (1) building relationships, awareness, and trust with members of the community; (2) uniting members of the community and law enforcement; (3) improving the quality of life in the neighborhood; and (4) reducing crime. (c) Uses of funds A COP house funded under this section may provide services, including— (1) connecting with residents and involvement in community outreach programs; (2) providing government benefit program consultations; (3) nursing services and coordination with medical services in the community; (4) emergency medical services; (5) space for use by community groups; and (6) holding events with community partners, including public health services, educational classes or seminars, tutoring services for youth. (d) Officer qualifications A recipient of a grant under this section shall certify to the Director that any officer stationed at the COP house— (1) has demonstrated their communication and problem-solving skills; (2) does not have a history of verified instances of excessive force; and (3) has completed necessary training to understand the cultural sensitivities of the obligations of a position at the COP house. (e) Report The Director shall submit to Congress on an annual basis information related to the operation of the pilot program under this section, including the impact that COP houses have had on the relationships between law enforcement officers and the community and any changes in the rates of crime in the communities in which COP houses have been established pursuant to this section. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) The term eligible applicant means a non-profit organization, or a law enforcement organization applying jointly with at least one non-profit organization. (2) The term community outpost house means a location in the jurisdiction served by a law enforcement agency that is operated by the law enforcement agency in a collaborative manner with nonprofit organizations and other service providers.