Bill > AB178

This bill expands the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) grant program by broadening its scope from solely focusing on alcohol and drug treatment to now including mental health treatment programs. Currently, the Department of Justice provides grants to counties and tribes for programs that offer alternatives to prosecution or incarceration for individuals with substance use disorders. The bill modifies multiple sections of state statutes to replace references to "substance abuse" with more comprehensive language like "substance use disorder" and "mental illness," which allows grant recipients to develop treatment programs for people with mental health conditions. Key changes include updating grant program descriptions, eligibility criteria, and oversight requirements to encompass mental health services alongside substance use treatments. The goal remains consistent with the original program's objectives: reducing recidivism, promoting public safety, and decreasing prison and jail populations by providing treatment-focused alternatives to traditional criminal justice approaches. By recognizing mental illness as a potential underlying factor in criminal behavior, the bill aims to create more holistic and rehabilitative interventions for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Justice

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab178