The DART Act of 2025 expands how states and local governments can use federal Justice Assistance Grant Program funding to support alternatives to incarceration. Specifically, the bill allows these grants to fund pre-arrest diversion programs, specialty courts, mental health services, peer support, and post-release rehabilitation efforts—addressing underlying causes of crime like addiction and poverty rather than relying solely on jail time. The legislation affects state and local criminal justice systems nationwide by giving them more flexibility to implement evidence-based programs. The bill also directs the Attorney General to establish a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse to share best practices and provide technical assistance to communities, with open-ended authorization for necessary funding through fiscal year 2031. By shifting focus toward rehabilitation and away from traditional incarceration, the bill aims to reduce recidivism, lower crime rates, and minimize harmful consequences like job and housing loss that result from incarceration.
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