Emmer’s bill to reauthorize justice, mental health collaboration program set to become law

Bipartisan legislation supported by U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) to bolster suicide prevention resources used by law enforcement received approval on Nov. 29 from the U.S. House of Representatives and is headed to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

The House voted 389-22 to pass the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022, S. 3846, which the U.S. Senate approved on June 23 by unanimous consent.

“I applaud the passage of this legislation, which will support safer, healthier communities,” Rep. Emmer said. “We must ensure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need when they are called upon to provide lifesaving assistance to those struggling with mental health and substance abuse crises.”

Rep. Emmer, who in June cosponsored the same-named H.R. 8166 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), said the bill is focused on suicide prevention, as well as increasing access to case management services and providing resources for law enforcement. 

H.R. 8166 is companion legislation to S. 3846, which U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced in March, along with seven other original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

Once enacted, the measure will reauthorize for five years the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, which allows states and localities to develop programming that connects those with mental illness and substance abuse issues to evidence-based and comprehensive treatment within the criminal justice system, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Emmer’s office.

Additionally, the bill authorizes funding that may be used for the 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which debuted in July.