Mental Health Justice Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 3/1/2021
Actions
- 2021-03-01Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2021-03-01Introduced in Senate
CRS Summary
As of 2021-03-01 (00)
Mental Health Justice Act of 2021
This bill creates a grant program for states and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must manage the program in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ). SAMHSA may cancel grants that increase incarceration or institutionalization. Grantees must use funds for purposes including de-escalation and anti-racism training.
The Department of Health and Human Services and the DOJ must evaluate this program.
Cosponsors (2)
- Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Subjects
- Congressional oversight
- Correctional facilities and imprisonment
- Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
- Criminal justice information and records
- Disability and paralysis
- Drug trafficking and controlled substances
- Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
- Emergency communications systems
- Employment and training programs
- First responders and emergency personnel
- Government information and archives
- Government studies and investigations
- Health personnel
- Health programs administration and funding
- Law enforcement administration and funding
- Law enforcement officers
- Mental health
- Performance measurement
- Racial and ethnic relations
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.