April 30, 2025
Mr. Costa (for himself and Mr. Valadao) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to local governments for the training of local law enforcement officers on public health threats arising from violations of building codes, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Safety Training for Officers on Public Health Threats Act
or the STOP Health Threats Act
.
Sec. 2. Grants to train local enforcement officers on public health threats
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the heads of other relevant agencies engaged in regulating building codes determined necessary by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall award grants to local governments for the training of local enforcement officers on public health threats arising from violations of building codes.
(b) Use of funds
A local government receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant to—
(1)
develop and implement a training program for local enforcement officers on recognizing and responding to public health threats described in subsection (a);
(2)
partner with other local governments to collaborate on such training;
(3)
in carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), coordinate with—
(A)
relevant offices and agencies of the Federal, State, and local government, such as a public health department; or
(B)
nongovernmental organizations with issue area expertise; and
(4)
carry out any other activities deemed appropriate by the Secretary for training described in subsection (a).
(c) Application
To seek a grant under subsection (a), a local government shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(d) Priority
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants based on—
(1)
their capacity to provide the training described in subsection (a); and
(2)
prioritizing areas where threats have been identified.
(e) Definition
In this section, the term enforcement officers means those carrying out enforcement activities and implement relevant consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards that establish minimum acceptable criteria for the design, construction, and maintenance of residential structures and facilities.