Cape News

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Sheldon Whitehouse have joined forces to reintroduce the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, a program aimed at providing grant funding for law enforcement family-support services and establishing suicide-prevention programs and mental health services for law enforcement officers. The original bill was signed into law in 2019, and the senators are now pushing for its reauthorization before the funding expires later this year.

Senator Hawley emphasized the importance of the STOIC Act, stating, "Men and women in blue continue to experience unprecedented hostility, new challenges, and low morale in the line of duty. The resources and support the STOIC Act provides are more important than ever. We must stand with those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and this legislation will help to do that."

Senator Whitehouse also stressed the significance of the program, noting, "Police officers are the first on the scene to help other people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Officers see a lot, and they need access to mental health care to manage the toll of being on the frontlines every day. Our bipartisan STOIC Act has delivered resources to help first responders and their loved ones in the years since we passed it, and I urge my colleagues to swiftly support its reauthorization."

The STOIC Act has been a crucial source of support for law enforcement officers and their families, providing much-needed assistance in dealing with the mental health challenges that come with their demanding roles. As the reauthorization effort gains momentum, Senators Hawley and Whitehouse are leading the charge to ensure that these vital programs continue to be available for those who serve on the frontlines of law enforcement.