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S. 2151Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)Passed Senate

A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide that COPS grant funds may be used for local law enforcement recruits to attend schools or academies if the recruits agree to serve in precincts of law enforcement agencies in their communities.

Sponsored by Gary C. PetersSen. Gary C. Peters (D-MI)
Introduced June 21, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 4:36 AM UTC

The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to let COPS grant money pay for local law‑enforcement recruits to attend training at colleges or academies, as long as they agree to serve in nearby precincts. It creates a “Strong Communities Program” that defines which schools or agencies qualify, how grants are awarded, and the service obligations for participants. The measure also adds repayment rules if a recruit leaves before completing the required service.

Key Provisions

  • Allows COPS grant funds to cover tuition or fees for recruits attending law‑enforcement training programs at eligible higher‑education institutions or local agency academies.
  • Requires each recruit to serve full‑time as a law‑enforcement officer for at least four years within an eight‑year window after training, in a precinct within 7 miles of their residence (or within 20 miles in counties with fewer than 150,000 residents).
  • Grants are competitive and administered by the Attorney General, who may allocate appropriated amounts each fiscal year for this purpose.
  • If a recruit does not meet the service commitment, they must repay the benefits received, though the Attorney General may set regulations for extenuating circumstances.

Legislative Activity

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8 earlier actions
HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

August 2, 2022 • 3:11 PM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

June 21, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

June 21, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Judiciary Committee

May 19, 2022

SenateCommittee

Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Judiciary Committee

June 14, 2022

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 419.

June 14, 2022

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3826; text: CR S3826)

August 1, 2022

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

August 2, 2022

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

August 2, 2022 • 3:02 PM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

August 2, 2022 • 3:11 PM

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 2151 on the floor

1 Democrat
Charles E. Schumer
Sen. Charles E. SchumerD-NY · Aug 1, 2022

I ask that the committee-reported substitute amendments be agreed to; that the bills, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and…

Record
Charles E. Schumer
Sen. Charles E. SchumerD-NY · Aug 1, 2022

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills en bloc, Calendar No. 419, S. 2151 and Calendar No. 423, S. 4007.

Record

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued August 1, 2022

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2151

AN ACT

To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide that COPS grant funds may be used for local law enforcement recruits to attend schools or academies if the recruits agree to serve in precincts of law enforcement agencies in their communities.

1.

Strong Communities Program

Section 1701 of Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n); and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (l) the following:

(m)

COPS Strong Communities Program

(1)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—

(i)

an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), that, in coordination or through an agreement with a local law enforcement agency, offers a law enforcement training program; or

(ii)

a local law enforcement agency that offers a law enforcement training program.

(B)

Local law enforcement agency

The term local law enforcement agency means an agency of a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe that is authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal law.

(2)

Grants

The Attorney General may use amounts otherwise appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2020) to make competitive grants to local law enforcement agencies to be used for officers and recruits to attend law enforcement training programs at eligible entities if the officers and recruits agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their communities.

(3)

Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, each officer or recruit described in paragraph (2) shall—

(A)

serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for a total of not fewer than 4 years during the 8-year period beginning on the date on which the officer or recruit completes a law enforcement training program for which the officer or recruit received benefits;

(B)

complete the service described in subparagraph (A) in a local law enforcement agency located within—

(i)

7 miles of the residence of the officer or recruit where the officer or recruit has resided for not fewer than 5 years; or

(ii)

if the officer or recruit resides in a county with fewer than 150,000 residents, within 20 miles of the residence of the officer or recruit where the officer or recruit has resided for not fewer than 5 years; and

(C)

submit to the eligible entity evidence of employment of the officer or recruit in the form of a certification by the chief administrative officer of the local law enforcement agency where the officer or recruit is employed.

(4)

Repayment

(A)

In general

If an officer or recruit does not complete the service described in paragraph (3), the officer or recruit shall submit to the local law enforcement agency an amount equal to any benefits the officer or recruit received under this subsection.

(B)

Regulations

The Attorney General shall promulgate regulations that establish categories of extenuating circumstances under which an officer or recruit may be excused from repayment under subparagraph (A).

.

Passed the Senate August 1, 2022.

Secretary