Mental Health Justice Act: Professionals Respond to Crises, Not Police
This act aims to shift emergency responses involving mental health or developmental disabilities from law enforcement to mental health professionals. This means citizens can expect more appropriate help in crisis situations, potentially reducing arrests and institutionalization, and improving access to community-based support.
Key points
Provides grants for states and tribes to hire, train, and dispatch mental health professionals instead of police for mental health emergencies.
Mandates training for these professionals in de-escalation and developmentally appropriate techniques, and for 911/988 dispatch staff on handling such calls.
Prioritizes funding for areas with high arrest rates of individuals with mental illness and those committed to increasing community support services.
Requires reporting on program effectiveness, including reductions in incarceration and use of force, with provisions for grant revocation if institutionalization increases.
Directs the development and publication of best practices for deploying mental health professionals as first responders.
Expired
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