This bill creates a federal grant program to improve mental health care for people in the criminal justice system. The Attorney General would establish grants for the Bureau of Prisons, states, and local governments to conduct brief mental health screenings when individuals enter prison or jail, identify those with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression, and connect them with mental health providers before or after release. States and localities receiving grants must hire mental health liaison staff members and establish outreach teams responsible for attempting to contact people within 48 hours of release to ensure they access treatment. The legislation authorizes $100 million for fiscal year 2025, increasing to $140 million by 2029, with 90 percent going directly to screening and referral programs, 5 percent for evaluations, and 5 percent for an advisory board to oversee implementation and share best practices. Independent research organizations will track the program's effectiveness by measuring impacts on crime rates, employment outcomes, and mental health service utilization for participants over ten years.
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