Senate Bill 515
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Mental Health Justice Act of 2021
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Mar 1, 2021
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
515
Congress
117
Policy Area
Health
Health
Primary focus of measure is science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease; health services administration and funding, including such programs as Medicare and Medicaid; health personnel and medical education; drug use and safety; health care coverage and insurance; health facilities. Measures concerning controlled substances and drug trafficking may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area.
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary
Mental Health Justice Act of 2021
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.
March 1, 2021
03/01/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
03/01/2021
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:47:51 PM