This bill, the SMART Community Policing Act, adds new allowed uses for COPS (community policing) grant funds. It would let communities set up or expand: mobile crisis teams that hire mental health professionals and paramedics to respond to certain 911 calls or requests from community members and to help stabilize and secure care for people in crisis; co-responder programs that pair a trained law enforcement officer with a behavioral health clinician or paramedic to de-escalate crises and connect people to services; and case management and outreach teams to follow up with people after crises, help them access services, and reduce repeated emergency contacts. The bill states its purpose is to strengthen community policing, de-escalate interactions, build partnerships with mental health services, and get appropriate treatment to people in need.
If passed, local agencies applying for COPS grants could use that money to hire mental health professionals, paramedics, case managers, and other staff; train officers who partner with clinicians or paramedics; operate mobile units that respond to calls; and run follow-up outreach to people who frequently use emergency services. The change is about what COPS grant money may pay for. It does not set specific local rules or require any particular local program design.
No publicly available information.
The bill says supporters want to: de-escalate law enforcement interactions with people experiencing mental health, substance use, homelessness, or poverty-related crises; build partnerships that connect people to mental health care and community resources; and improve outcomes for both communities and officers by delivering appropriate treatment and supports.
No publicly available information.