FEDS July 2024 Newsletter

In May 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 354, the LEOSA Reform Act of 2024, which would expand the areas in which current and retired law enforcement officers are allowed to carry a concealed weapon. If enacted, the bill would broaden authority for officers but could also broaden their exposure, especially in states that have strict CCW (concealed carry or carrying a concealed weapon) laws. Eligible law enforcement personnel can protect themselves with LEOSA coverage options from FEDS Protection.

The LEOSA Reform Act of 2024 would expand the authority for some current off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in locations that CCW is currently generally unlawful, including school zones, national parks, certain federal facilities, and private property and property owned by state and local governments that is open to the public or used for transportation purposes. The bill would also allow states to reduce the frequency for which retired law enforcement officers must be certified to carry a concealed firearm.

As an active or retired federal law enforcement officer, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) of 2004 and the LEOSA Improvement Act of 2010 allow you to protect yourself, your family, and others from criminal acts within certain guidelines. H.R. 354 would expand areas in which LEOSA authorizes concealed carry, but it may also expand the exposure faced by active and retired federal law enforcement officers who carry concealed weapons.  This legislation may cause confusion with local law enforcement officers in states with conflicting CCW laws. This confusion could result in arrest and criminal charges, despite following federal guidelines. 

FEDS offers LEOSA insurance for active and retired federal law enforcement officers. For eligible retired federal law enforcement officers, annual premiums start at $300. FEDS offers $100,000 or $250,000 of civil liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by a lawful act under LEOSA. Both options provide $50,000 for criminal defense costs resulting from an alleged criminal action involving a self-defense (or spouse/legal dependent defense) incident, as well as $25,000 for criminal defense against state charges of unlawful carriage of a firearm or federally legal ammunition when lawfully carrying under LEOSA.

Active federal law enforcement officers with a Federal Employee Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) policy from FEDS Protection may be eligible for the optional LEOSA endorsement. Starting at an additional $100 annually, FEDS offers $250,000 of $500,000 of civil liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by a lawful act under LEOSA. Both options provide $50,000 for criminal defense costs resulting from an alleged criminal action involving a self-defense (or spouse/legal dependent defense) incident, as well as $25,000 for criminal defense against state charges of unlawful carriage of a firearm or federally legal ammunition when lawfully carrying under LEOSA. This option is not offered on its own – you must have a Federal Employee PLI policy with FEDS to apply.

To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you, browse our website or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative. Eligibility for the FEDS Retired LEOSA policy and the FEDS LEOSA Endorsement is based on your agency credentials. Active federal law enforcement officers are eligible for up to 50% agency reimbursement for your PLI premium.

If yes, consider FEDS Protection for your government contracting insurance needs. At FEDS Protection, we also support Federal Contractors by providing insurance coverage specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of today's federal contractors, including Professional Liability, Defense Base Act Insurance, and Foreign Liability coverage.  In our experience, many small businesses need assistance in navigating the insurance portion of a government RFP.

The federal government is our specific focus and area of expertise. If you are looking to review your current or upcoming insurance needs, including the unique insurance requirements of any contract involving civilian employees overseas (requiring DBA Insurance and Foreign Liability coverage) please contact us at 866-955-FEDS (3337) or dmoylan@fedsprotection.com.

 

FEDS Protection wants to celebrate those who work together from diverse backgrounds that move our country forward. These efforts are not and cannot be made alone. They are completed each day with empathy, energy, and intentionality. While some moments can be awkward, small wins can be awesome.  Regardless, each inclusive action is worth the effort. 

We hope each of you can play a small part in the path toward progress and continue to do so in your own way. We will continue to stand with you in this effort every step of the journey.

 

 

"WIFLE believes that no federal law enforcement officer should be without liability insurance. The FEDS policy gives those in law enforcement the protection they need to do their jobs.”

- Margie Moore, Chair of the Board (WIFLE)

Contact us if you or your agency are interested in a webinar or brochures that provide federal employees best practices on how to protect themselves with a federal employee professional liability insurance policy like the one offered by FEDS Protection. This benefit is so important, it could be partially reimbursed for many federal employees!

July

- Federal Court Clerks Association Conference (Denver, CO)

- National Association of Black Narcotic Agents 45th Leadership & Training Conference (Scottsdale, AZ)

- National Contract Managers Association World Congress (Seattle, WA)

 

August

- Women in Federal Law Enforcement 25th Annual Leadership Training (Alexandria, VA)

- Federal Pretrial and Probation Officers National Training Institute (Pittsburgh, PA)

- National Social Security Management Associations (Alexandria, TX)