USA
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Biden signs bill to provide benefits to families of officers who committed suicide

President Biden on Tuesday passed legislation to expand disability and death benefits to families of officers suffering from post-traumatic stress. signed. Kill yourself or get confused during a mission. The Public Safety Officers Assistance Act of 2022 is part of a larger effort to recognize the emotional impact of traumatic events on first responders across the country.

Erin Smith received a death benefit after her husband, Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Jeffrey Smith, died nine days after her January 6 assault.who fought for months. Houses of Parliament. Jeff Smith, his 12-year veteran in the division, was the target of several attacks that day after responding to a mob mob that broke into the Capitol.

"I went through hell to declare my husband's death a work order and have the Metropolitan Police and D.C. He is not with us today," Erin Smith said in a statement Tuesday. 

As in Washington, D.C., suicide was not considered an occupational death, so Erin Smith lost her health. her insurance and income after her husband died. In March, the District of Columbia determined that an injury her husband received while performing her duties on January 6 was the cause of her husband's death. the sole and direct cause."

"This bill was pushed aside not only for my husband's sake, but because no one believed that the deaths of family members were professional and were the cause of their deaths. It's for all law enforcement and first responder families who've been there. It's a job," Erin Smith added in a statement.

Jeff Smith was one of his four law enforcement officers to respond to the 6 January attack, and he committed suicide within seven months of the mutiny. According to the US Capitol Police and Labor Commission, more than 140 of his officers from the Capitol Police Department and the Metropolitan Police Departmentwere injured in the riots.

"This was an experience that widows, widowers and children will never have to suffer again," Erin's attorney David Weber told CBS News in a statement. Jeffrey Smith's actions forever changed the conversation about police mental health and our subsequent parental care."

Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) and Guy The bill, proposed by Rep. Reschenthaler (Republican-Pennsylvania), Senator Tammy Duckworth (Democrat-Illinois) and Rep. John Cornyn (Republican-Texas), passed the Senate earlier this month The House unanimously passed the bill in May with overwhelming bipartisan support, with just 17 Republicans voting against42}

"First responders often experience more trauma in one day than many of us will in our lifetimes," says Trone. "This puts a huge strain on officers, sometimes even leading to disability and suicide."

Biden's signature was to extend public security employee benefits, which previously addressed law enforcement only to physical injuries. Allows expansion of the program. The updated law allows a public safety officer to seek disability benefits for her PTSD related to severe injuries on the job. Law enforcement family members and first responders who die by suicide can now claim death benefits as suicide is now recognized as an occupational death.

While grateful that the bill was enacted, Erin Smith was disappointed that the President signed it behind closed doors and without ceremony.

"Suicide again feels pushed aside because of political calculations that have nothing to do with all men and women who have no choice. My husband included." , about when you should wear your badge and go to work," she said in a statement Tuesday. I am petitioning to make sure he is buried in the National Cemetery. She died of natural causes the day after she defended the Capitol. Schicknick was buried in February 2021. She was buried.

Call National Suicide Prevention if you or someone you know is in distress or is in danger of suicide. Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

For more information on mental health care resources and support, contact the National Mental Health Alliance (NAMI) Helpline Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm. please give me. ET, 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or by email at [email protected].

    at:
  • Capitol Police
  • Joe Biden
  • Police Officer
  • Suicide

Thank you for reading CBS NEWS.

Create a free account or log in to
for more features.