Bill to implement behavioral threat assessment process in communities gains traction

A bill that would implement a behavioral threat assessment process across federal, state, and local governments to protect communities continues to gain traction among lawmakers.

The Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety (TAPS) Act of 2019 — sponsored by Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) – has gained the endorsement of Reps. Katie Hill (D-CA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), and Gary Palmer (R-AL), who joined Babin at a press conference last week to discuss the bill. Various members of the Houston Police Department and other law enforcement were also present to show their support for the TAPS Act and in recognition of National Police Week.

Behavioral threat assessment and management has been used for decades by the U.S. Secret Service to protect presidents, elected officials, and foreign dignitaries. The TAPS Act would use this same system to protect local communities and schools from threats.

The TAPS Act would standardize and provide a behavioral threat assessment and management process across the Federal government. It would also provide states with the training, resources, and support needed for multidisciplinary behavioral threat assessment. It also recognizes that behavioral threat assessment and management processes should become part of the culture and fabric of law enforcement.

“Given the horrific tragedies we recently witnessed at both the STEM School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and the Poway Synagogue in Southern California – and not to forget the unfortunate anniversaries of Columbine, Parkland, Virginia Tech, and Santa Fe – we must be doing more to prevent these types of atrocities from occurring,” Babin said. “I am proud that the TAPS Act has the support of more than 75 Members of Congress and nearly 50 outside organizations, such as Sandy Hook Promise and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Our goal is to take a scientifically-validated process that has been in place for decades and make it readily available on the State and local levels.”