Mental Health Support for Corrections Officers: Screening and Referral Program
This Act establishes a new federal grant program to fund states and local governments for mandatory, anonymous mental health screenings for corrections officers. The goal is to quickly identify severe mental illnesses and refer officers to local mental health care providers for immediate support. This initiative aims to improve the well-being and safety of correctional staff, which in turn contributes to the stability and security of detention facilities.
Key points
Funding: $50 million is authorized for 2026 (increasing to $70 million by 2030) to support mental health screening programs for corrections officers.
Mandatory and Anonymous Screening: Implementation of short (5-10 questions) and confidential mental health surveys to identify severe mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, depression).
Outreach Teams: Creation of local outreach teams, including mental health professionals, to immediately refer officers identified as needing help to further assessment and care.
Advisory Board: Establishment of an Advisory Board to oversee the program, provide technical assistance, and ensure that the self-reporting process protects officers' anonymity and privacy, neutralizing fears of job loss.
Introduced
Additional Information
Print number: 119_HR_2305
Sponsor: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Process start date: 2025-03-24