US Senate Considers Expanded Access to STOP THE BLEED® Kits

The ACS strongly supports bipartisan legislation introduced last week in the US Senate that would expand access to STOP THE BLEED^® kits for states, tribal territories, and local governments.

The American Law Enforcement Sustaining Aid and Vital Emergency Resources Act (American Law Enforcement SAVER Act) (S.2644) would help ensure law enforcement and first responders have access to lifesaving supplies in a bleeding emergency. The bill, introduced by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-NY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Coons (D-DE), would allow for the purchase STOP THE BLEED kits and supplies using funds from the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne JAG).

“This legislation ensures that the tools necessary to save lives will be available when minutes matter. The ACS thanks Sens. Cornyn, Whitehouse, Tillis, and Coons for their leadership in making it possible for more first responders to have access to STOP THE BLEED kits to protect their communities,” said Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, Executive Director & CEO of the ACS.

The Byrne JAG grant is administered by the US Department of Justice and provides federal money to state, local, and tribal jurisdictions for “criminal justice” purposes. The American Law Enforcement SAVER Act would expand the potential use of Byrne JAG funds to also include the purchase of STOP THE BLEED Kits.

The bill would require kits purchased with these funds to include a Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care-recommended tourniquet and instructional materials developed by stakeholders including the ACS Committee on Trauma. Further, the bill directs that the Department of Justice work with stakeholder organizations on establishing standards for trauma kits and provide best practices for law enforcement agencies on how to best use the kits.