The Mental Health Justice Act of 2023 provides $250 million in federal grants over five years to states, tribes, and local governments to hire and train mental health professionals as first responders to certain emergencies. Instead of sending police officers, these mental health professionals would respond to calls involving people in mental health crises, those with mental illness or developmental disabilities, or individuals under the influence of substances. The bill requires these professionals to receive training in deescalation and developmentally appropriate techniques, and it mandates quarterly reporting on outcomes such as reductions in incarceration, institutionalization, and police use of force. The legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a three-year study on program effectiveness and develop best practices for deploying mental health professionals as first responders. The bill explicitly preserves law enforcement's role in situations involving imminent danger or crimes requiring criminal investigation.
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