H.R. 3366: Establishing Accreditation Grants for Law Enforcement Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The bill titled the "Establishing Accreditation Grants for Law Enforcement Act of 2025," or the "EAGLE Act of 2025," aims to create a grant program to support local law enforcement agencies in obtaining or renewing their accreditation. Here’s a summary of the main points:

Grant Program Establishment

The bill mandates the Attorney General to establish a grant program within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This program will provide financial assistance for qualified accreditation or re-certification of local law enforcement agencies.

Grant Authority

The Attorney General is responsible for awarding grants to eligible local law enforcement agencies that apply for funding through this program.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the grant, a local law enforcement agency must:

Demonstrate financial need.
Specify the funding amount requested for:
- Accreditation or re-certification fees
- On-site assessment charges
- Extension fees

Use of Funds

Grant funds can only be utilized for the purpose of achieving or maintaining qualified accreditation or re-certification for local law enforcement agencies.

Funding Allocation

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $10 million for the fiscal year 2025 to fund the program. The allocated funds will remain available until they are fully expended.

Definitions

Qualified accreditation or re-certification: This term refers to the process where a local law enforcement agency is accredited or re-certified by a recognized professional organization that sets standards for such agencies, such as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
Local law enforcement agency: This refers to any agency operating under local government that manages criminal law violations and has fewer than 350 employees.

Impact on Local Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement agencies that apply for these grants will have the opportunity to improve their credibility and operational standards through the accreditation process, potentially leading to better public trust and enhanced community safety.