Mental Health Justice Act of 2020

Bill Number

HR 8639

Introduced

Oct 20, 2020

Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be ...

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

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 Health personnel Health programs administration and funding Law enforcement administration and funding Law enforcement officers Mental health Performance measurement Racial and ethnic relations State and local government operations

Full Text

View Full Bill Text

Votes

Summary

Mental Health Justice Act of 2020

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.

Actions

Oct 20, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Oct 20, 2020

Introduced in House

Amendments

Related Bills