Collins, Colleagues Lead Reauthorization of the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined a bipartisan group of her colleagues in introducing the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize critical grants for mental health courts, crisis intervention teams, and other programs that have helped law enforcement assist individuals experiencing mental illness for nearly two decades. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges and substance use disorders across our communities. As we recover from this public health crisis, it is critical that our local communities have the resources they need to support individuals battling mental health issues,” said Senator Collins. “By reauthorizing the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, this bill would help increase law enforcement training and strengthen crisis intervention programs to provide individuals with mental health disorders with the appropriate treatment and services.”

The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) and make several improvements to provide grantees with greater options to respond and treat individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The legislation would: 

• Support mental health courts and veterans treatment programs;

• Support programs that offer specialized training for public safety officers and mental health providers;

• Support co-responder teams that deploy mental health professionals with law enforcement and allow a 24/7, 365 response capability;

• Enhance community capacity and linkage to care systems to ensure continuity of care and connection to mental health and substance use disorder crisis services; and

• Allow jurisdictions to integrate suicide prevention programs in jails and detention facilities.

In 2004, the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) created the JMHCP to help states and counties design and implement collaborative efforts between criminal justice and mental health systems. JMHCP grants have funded mental health courts and other court-based initiatives, diversion and deflection programs, crisis intervention teams, training for local police departments, and other programs to improve outcomes for people with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who come into contact with the criminal justice system. JMHCP has provided a total of 568 grants to 49 states along with the District of Columbia, Guam, and American Samoa.

In addition to Senator Collins, the legislation was introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act is supported by the National Criminal Justice Association, American Correctional Association, American Legion, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), National Association of Drug Court Professionals, Mental Health America (MHA), Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), American Psychiatric Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Psychological Association, National Association of Counties (NACo), Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs' Association, Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH), Correctional Leaders Association, American Jail Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities.

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