# Plain Language Summary: EAGLE Act of 2023

This bill creates a federal grant program to help small police departments get or maintain professional accreditation. Think of accreditation like a quality seal of approval—it means a police department has met certain professional standards set by national law enforcement organizations. The bill specifically targets smaller local police departments (those with fewer than 350 employees) that might struggle to afford the costs of getting accredited or renewing their accreditation.

The Attorney General would have 90 days to set up this grant program and start accepting applications from eligible police departments. Police departments could use the grant money to cover three specific costs: accreditation or re-certification fees, on-site assessment charges (when evaluators come to inspect the department), and extension fees. To qualify, a police department would need to show that it has financial need and explain exactly how much money it's requesting and what it would spend it on. The bill authorizes $10 million in funding for this program in 2024, and any money that isn't spent in that year can be carried over and used later.

The practical effect is that smaller police departments in rural areas or less wealthy communities would get financial help meeting professional standards without having to pay the full cost themselves. This could lead to more police departments becoming accredited, which generally means they follow stricter training, equipment, and conduct standards. However, the bill doesn't require police departments to do anything differently—it just makes accreditation more affordable for those who want to pursue it.

EAGLE Act of 2023

Establishing Accreditation Grants for Law Enforcement Act of 2023 or the EAGLE Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Justice to provide grants to eligible local law enforcement agencies for activities related to obtaining qualified accreditation or recertification. Such accreditation or recertification shall be provided by a professional law enforcement organization involved in developing standards for law enforcement at the national, state, regional, or tribal level, such as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.