H.R. 5864: Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies Act

This bill, titled the "Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies Act," aims to establish specific standards for trauma kits that are purchased using funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The bill requires that any trauma kits bought with these funds must comply with performance standards established by the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Definition of Trauma Kit

A "trauma kit," as defined in the bill, is a first aid kit that includes a bleeding control kit specifically designed to treat life-threatening hemorrhages.

Requirements for Trauma Kits

The bill sets forth several requirements for the procurement of trauma kits:

• Only Eligible Kits: Funds can only be used to purchase trauma kits that meet the performance standards set by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
• Separate Acquisition of Components: Agencies may acquire the individual components of a trauma kit separately, if desired, as long as the assembled kit meets the required standards.

Development of Performance Standards

The Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance is tasked with developing and publishing:

• Performance Standards: These will outline what components must be included in an eligible trauma kit.
• Optional Best Practices: Guidelines for law enforcement agencies on how to:
• Train officers in the use of trauma kits.
• Deploy and maintain kits in police vehicles.
• Ensure proper deployment, location, and maintenance of trauma kits in law enforcement facilities.

Components of Trauma Kits

The bill specifies required components of trauma kits, which must include:

• A tourniquet recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care.
• A bleeding control bandage.
• A pair of non-latex protective gloves and a pen-type marker.
• A pair of blunt-ended scissors.
• Instructional documents from recognized organizations on bleeding control techniques.
• A bag or container designed to hold the kit's contents.
• Any additional supplies approved by local law enforcement or first responders that can adequately treat traumatic injuries and are easy to access.

Implementation Timeline

The bill stipulates that the performance standards and best practices must be developed and published within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Funding and Grants

Lastly, the bill emphasizes the use of funds specifically allocated under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for the purchase of these trauma kits, ensuring that police departments have the resources they need to support emergency medical responses effectively.

Relevant Companies

• ISRG: Intuitive Surgical may be impacted as they manufacture medical devices, including those for emergency medical situations. If the standards require specific types of trauma equipment, companies like Intuitive could see demand for compliance products.
• SHLL: This company is involved in the healthcare sector and could be impacted by increased demand for trauma kits and associated training equipment, as law enforcement agencies look to meet the new requirements.