Mental Health Justice Act of 2022

Hozzl · 2023-03-08T20:12:31Z

Explore the details of House Bill 8542 Mental Health Justice Act of 2022 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Health. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/8/2023, 8:12 PM

Summary of Bill HR 8542

Bill 117 HR 8542, also known as the Mental Health Justice Act of 2022, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system in the United States.

The Mental Health Justice Act of 2022 aims to improve mental health services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. It seeks to provide better access to mental health treatment and support for those who are incarcerated or involved in the court system. The bill also aims to increase training for law enforcement officers and other criminal justice professionals on how to effectively interact with individuals who have mental health issues.

Additionally, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2022 includes provisions to increase funding for mental health programs and services, as well as to promote alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental health issues. The bill also seeks to improve data collection and reporting on mental health issues within the criminal justice system. Overall, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2022 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that aims to address the complex issues surrounding mental health and the criminal justice system in the United States. If passed, this bill has the potential to improve outcomes for individuals with mental health issues who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

Congressional Summary of HR 8542

Mental Health Justice Act of 2022

This bill creates a grant program for states, tribal entities, and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must manage the program in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ). SAMHSA may cancel grants that increase incarceration or institutionalization.

The Department of Health and Human Services and DOJ must evaluate this program.

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Current Status of Bill HR 8542

Bill HR 8542 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since September 27, 2022. Bill HR 8542 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on July 27, 2022. Bill HR 8542's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of September 27, 2022

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 8542

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 8542

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Potential Impact Areas

- Congressional oversight

- Correctional facilities and imprisonment

- Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

- Criminal justice information and records

- Disability and paralysis

- Drug trafficking and controlled substances

- Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

- Emergency communications systems

- Employment and training programs

- First responders and emergency personnel

- Government information and archives

- Government studies and investigations

- Health personnel

- Health programs administration and funding

- Law enforcement administration and funding

- Law enforcement officers

- Mental health

- Performance measurement

- Racial and ethnic relations

- State and local government operations

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 8542

Mental Health Justice Act of 2022

To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to States, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations, and political subdivisions thereof to hire, employ, train, and dispatch mental health professionals to respond in lieu of law enforcement officers in emergencies involving one or more persons with a mental illness or an intellectual or developmental disability, and for other purposes.