The Officer John Barnes Act requires the federal government to make eligibility decisions on benefit claims within 270 days instead of allowing indefinite processing times. The bill specifically amends the Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to establish this deadline for the Bureau's determinations on who qualifies for benefits under that program. This legislation affects people filing claims for benefits under the federal crime victims and public safety assistance programs administered by the Bureau. The bill does not authorize new funding or create new benefits—it simply imposes a time limit to speed up the decision-making process. The measure was introduced by Texas representatives in February 2025 and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
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