Bill > SB837

This bill establishes a pilot grant program, administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in collaboration with the Departments of Corrections and Health Services, to fund counties and tribes in creating or expanding programs that offer alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for low to medium-risk criminal offenders with mental illness that contributes to their involvement with the justice system. These programs, which can include suspended or deferred prosecution and restorative justice approaches, aim to address participants' mental health needs holistically, promote public safety, reduce jail and prison populations, lower costs, decrease recidivism, and improve participants' overall welfare by connecting them with services for employment, education, housing, family reunification, and financial obligations. Eligibility for grants requires counties and tribes to demonstrate readiness, have programs that address mental health needs before or during prosecution, focus on restorative justice, exclude violent offenders, utilize evidence-based mental health practices, and integrate services from various state and local agencies, with oversight committees and regular reporting to ensure accountability. The grant program is a pilot for five years, after which the DOJ will report on its outcomes and recommend whether to continue, modify, or expand it, and the bill also makes conforming changes to existing laws regarding good time credits and participation in treatment programs.

Justice

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb837