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National Community Violence De-Escalation Training Act of 2021
12/31/2022, 5:08 AM
Summary of Bill HR 4324
The legislation requires the Department of Justice to establish a grant program to provide funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies for de-escalation training programs. These programs would focus on teaching officers how to effectively communicate and defuse tense situations without resorting to violence.
Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Justice develop a national curriculum for de-escalation training, ensuring consistency and quality across all training programs. The curriculum would cover topics such as recognizing signs of mental illness, understanding implicit bias, and using non-lethal force when necessary. Overall, the National Community Violence De-Escalation Training Act of 2021 aims to promote safer interactions between law enforcement and the public, ultimately reducing instances of violence and improving trust within communities.
Congressional Summary of HR 4324
National Community Violence De-Escalation Training Act of 2021
This bill establishes and expands grant programs for training on de-escalating violence and crisis situations involving individuals with behavioral health issues.
Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award grants to state and local governments, educational institutions, nonprofits, faith institutions, or small businesses for community-based training to de-escalate and avoid violence. As part of this grant program, SAMHSA must also establish an advisory board and develop relevant training standards. The training funded by the grants must apply evidence-based de-escalation and avoidance techniques to potentially violent scenarios that are regularly encountered by community members, including public safety officers, public transit operators, educators, and faith leaders. Additionally, the training must address implicit bias, crisis interventions for those experiencing mental health or substance use issues, and other specified topics.
The bill also expands and extends through FY2027 mental health awareness training grants.
