Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025

This bill, the "Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025," aims to improve how law enforcement and corrections officers respond to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. It amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish a new federal grant program, recognizing that officers routinely encounter individuals in mental health or substance use emergencies and require specialized training. The legislation authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to State, local, and Tribal law enforcement and corrections agencies. These grants will fund behavioral health crisis response training for officers, covering critical topics like mental illness, substance use disorder, and suicidal ideation, along with associated transportation and lodging costs. Training programs must be developed with healthcare professionals and individuals with lived experience, focusing on empathy, de-escalation, communication skills, and navigating community resources. Agencies applying for grants must provide details on their proposed training, officer numbers, and past incidents involving injuries or deaths during behavioral health crisis responses. Up to $10,000,000 can be reserved annually for this program, with funds intended to supplement, not supplant, existing resources. Recipients are required to submit annual reports on activities and the number of officers trained, ensuring accountability and effective use of funds to enhance public and officer safety.