Casey to Introduce Reform Bills on Law Enforcement Interactions with People with Disabilities

Washington, DC – Following violent interactions in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, including the killing of Walter Wallace, Jr., US Senator Bob Casey (Democrat-Pennsylvania) will introduce two policing reform bills that would change the way law enforcement engages with people with disabilities. Among other reforms, Casey’s proposal would enhance state and regional 211 call systems, diverting some non-criminal emergency calls away from 911.

Senator Casey will host a virtual press roundtable with family members of people with disabilities who have faced violence at the hands of police, members of law enforcement, and other advocates. Senator Casey’s policing reform initiative – the Law Enforcement Education and Accountability for People with Disabilities (LEAD) Initiative – is comprised of two bills that address racial justice and the high incident rate of police violence against people with disabilities. They are the Human-Services Emergency Logistics Program (HELP) Act and the Safe Interactions Act.