Mental Health Justice Act of 2020

United States116th CongressHR-8639House of Representatives
Latest legislative activity: Oct 20, 2020

Summary

Official 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.

Bill texts

Available versions
Introduced (House)View official text

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Timeline

  1. 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.

    House of Representatives

  2. Introduced in House

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