The bill would create grants for states and localities to screen people entering prisons and jails for severe mental illness and connect those who may need care with local mental healthcare providers. The Bureau of Prisons would establish a similar program. The bill also sets rules for screening, follow-up outreach, and independent evaluations of program results.
People entering covered prisons and jails would receive a brief screening survey. If responses indicate severe mental illness, an outreach team would try to connect them with a local provider before release or soon after. States and localities receiving grants would hire mental health liaison staff and share data for program evaluations.
The bill would authorize $100 million for fiscal year 2026, rising by $10 million each year to $140 million for fiscal year 2030. It directs 90% of the funds to screening and referral programs, 5% to evaluations, and 5% to the Advisory Board and technical assistance. These are authorized amounts; the text does not state that the funds have been appropriated.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.