Reschenthaler bill tackles mental health needs of nation’s incarcerated population

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) on Feb. 13 introduced the bipartisan Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act of 2020 to bolster community mental health support around the nation for incarcerated individuals.

“I’m proud to support this bipartisan bill that will give law enforcement the tools they need to keep our communities safe, while also ending the revolving door between prison and the streets,” said Rep. Reschenthaler, a cosponsor of H.R. 5909 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD).

If enacted, H.R. 5909 would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to allow law enforcement to partner with mental health providers to provide mental health treatment and crisis stabilization for incarcerated individuals, and to “promote warm handoffs to community-based care upon reentry,” according to a fact sheet detailing the bill.

The legislation also would authorize federal grant money for law enforcement to partner with mental health providers, according to the fact sheet provided by the lawmakers.

According to Rep. Reschenthaler’s office, H.R. 5909 addresses the mental health needs that are often overlooked or inadequately addressed for incarcerated individuals.

“When I served as a district judge in southwestern Pennsylvania, many of those who came before my bench were suffering from untreated mental illnesses,” Rep. Reschenthaler said. “That’s why I’ve made it a priority to do more for these individuals and address mental health needs in our country.”

Additionally, H.R. 5909 would authorize collaborative programs involving justice and mental health agencies and community-based behavioral health providers that would help ensure access to appropriate medication and long-term health care for returning citizens. It also would authorize community-level crisis response programs that involve all stakeholders in building and implementation; targeted training programs for law enforcement related to medication adherence and continuity of care; strengthening local agency and provider capacity to reduce suicides during incarceration; and a national technical assistance center to support stakeholders in developing training and treatment approaches for justice-impacted individuals with mental illness, according to the fact sheet.

The bill has been endorsed by the National Council for Behavioral Health and has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.