Bill > S1444

This bill, the Border Patrol Enhancement Act, aims to increase the pay and enhance the training of United States Border Patrol agents. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner to complete a personnel requirements determination model to assess the number of Border Patrol agents needed and have it independently verified. This would allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to hire more agents up to the validated level. 2. Establishing higher rates of regularly scheduled overtime pay for Border Patrol agents at the GS-12 grade level. 3. Mandating annual and bi-annual continuing training for Border Patrol agents on various topics, such as use of force, interacting with vulnerable populations, and cultural awareness. 4. Directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess U.S. Customs and Border Protection's efforts to recruit, hire, and retain law enforcement personnel, as well as the impact of employee compensation on retention. 5. Requiring the GAO to study the recruitment and retention of female Border Patrol agents and the Commissioner to report on efforts to implement any recommendations. The overall goal of the bill is to improve the staffing, training, and compensation of the U.S. Border Patrol in order to enhance border security operations.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1444/all-info