Bill > HR5725

This bill establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Attorney General and the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to support communities in developing health-centered approaches to mental health emergencies. Eligible jurisdictions (including state, tribal, and local governments that manage emergency services) can apply for grants to implement strategies such as embedding mental health professionals in 911 dispatch systems, developing alternative call routing to mental health crisis hotlines like 988, and creating partnerships between emergency services to streamline crisis response. The grants can be used to create more integrated and compassionate mental health emergency responses, with an important caveat that the bill does not require removing law enforcement from emergency responses or interfere with existing state laws about psychiatric holds and public safety. Grant recipients must submit annual reports detailing response times, use of force, diversion rates, and other requested information. The bill authorizes $25 million in funding for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031, with the goal of helping communities transition to more health-centered emergency mental health interventions.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5725/all-info