H.R. 9665: VA Police Security Enhancement Act

This bill would expand and modernize the security authority of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) police officers and create a temporary funding account to support those changes.

What changes for VA police

The bill would broaden where VA police can act. It defines “Department property” to include:

• land and buildings occupied by or under the control of the VA;
• land and buildings leased by or for the VA;
• land and buildings leased by the VA to someone else, including property under an enhanced use lease; and
• the area immediately around those properties.

It would also update the duties of VA police officers so they are explicitly responsible for:

• protecting veterans, VA staff, other individuals, and VA property;
• maintaining the physical security and operational continuity of VA facilities; and
• carrying out other security functions specifically authorized by law.

In general, VA police could exercise their authority off VA property only in limited situations: when needed to protect VA personnel or property, when in hot pursuit, or when covered by a written agreement with other law enforcement agencies.

Coordination with other law enforcement

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be directed to try to enter into memoranda of understanding with appropriate local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The purpose would be to make it easier for VA police to exercise authority on VA property when that property is within another agency’s jurisdiction.

Security upgrades and oversight

The bill would require the VA to take steps to improve security at its facilities, including:

• better access controls;
• surveillance systems;
• rapid response procedures; and
• coordination with other law enforcement agencies.

It would also increase congressional oversight. If requested by the House or Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, the VA Secretary would have to promptly provide policies, arrest and use-of-force data, and briefings about VA police operations. In addition, the VA would have to submit an annual report to Congress covering:

• staffing levels of VA police officers;
• capability gaps;
• training; and
• enforcement activity during the previous year.

New funding account

The bill would create a separate Treasury account called the Veterans Affairs Police and Security Operations Account. Money could be appropriated into this account for:

• hiring and training VA police officers;
• security infrastructure; and
• interagency coordination.

This account would expire three years after enactment.

Implementation and review

The VA would have to issue regulations to carry out the law within 180 days of enactment. The Government Accountability Office would also have to review the law within two years and report to Congress on how well the new authorities are working, how well agencies are coordinating, whether training and operational standards are adequate, and whether the changes should continue, be modified, or end.

Relevant Companies

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