Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program reauthorized under Emmer’s bill

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) on June 21 cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize critical grants for mental health courts, crisis intervention teams, and other programs that help law enforcement assist individuals experiencing mental illness. 

“Our law enforcement officers are often the first to respond during a mental health or substance abuse crisis,” Rep. Emmer said. “We must ensure they have the resources they need to provide appropriate, compassionate intervention to some of the most vulnerable among us. I am proud to join this bipartisan effort to offer them the best possible tools in our fight against mental illness.”

Rep. Emmer joined bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) to introduce the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022, H.R. 8166, which would reauthorize for five years the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), the grant program that allows states and localities to develop programming that connects those with mental illness and substance abuse issues with evidence-based and comprehensive treatment within the criminal justice system, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. 

H.R. 8166 also includes several reforms, such as making suicide prevention a key goal of the JMHCP; increasing access to case management services; strengthening the roles of co-responder and crisis intervention teams; training law enforcement; and continuing strong support of mental health courts, the summary says.

“These grants take a comprehensive approach to criminal justice reform by encouraging collaboration between law enforcement and healthcare providers,” said Rep. Scott. “I am grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues as we remain committed to ensuring these critical resources remain intact.” 

H.R. 8166 is companion legislation to the same-named S. 3846, introduced in March by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The U.S. Senate on June 23 passed its version of the bill by unanimous consent, advancing it to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Numerous groups have endorsed the measure, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Association of Police Organizations, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Criminal Justice Association, and Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, among several others.