H.R. 3312: SERVICE Act of 2025

HR3312, the SERVICE Act of 2025, would create a pilot grant program run by the Attorney General through the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. States, units of local government, and Indian Tribal governments could apply for grants to build veterans response teams inside law enforcement agencies. The goal is simple: when a veteran is in crisis, police should have trained people and a direct line to veteran-specific services instead of treating the call like any other incident.

The bill is detailed about what these teams must do. Teams could issue veteran officers a pin showing their branch of the Armed Forces while on duty. More importantly, they would use the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Re-Entry Search Service, set up information-sharing with the VA and community resource agencies, build relationships with Veterans Justice Outreach specialists, and coordinate with local justice systems and veterans courts so veterans can be identified when they enter courts or detention facilities and the local VA office can be notified.

Training is a major piece. The bill requires education for officers on mental health issues tied to military service, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety. It also requires teams of first responders to be organized to respond 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, on a volunteer basis for calls involving a veteran in crisis. Grantees also have to hold regular meetings, create a plan to measure success, track nationwide best practices, and offer veterans ongoing contact after an encounter with the team.

The program is time-limited and somewhat open-ended on money. The authority would end 5 years after enactment, and the bill authorizes grants using funds made available under part Q of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, subject to available appropriations. Congress would also get a report listing the number of applicants, number of grants awarded, the average grant amount sought, the average grant amount awarded, and any other information the Attorney General thinks is appropriate.