Emmer said, “We must ensure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need when they are called upon to provide lifesaving assistance to those struggling with mental health and substance abuse crises.
“I applaud the passage of this legislation, which will support safer, healthier communities,” Emmer concluded.
The bill centers suicide prevention as a key goal, increasing access to case management services and providing resources for law enforcement.
Background
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act will reauthorize for five years the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), a program that allows states and localities to develop programming that connects those with mental illness and substance abuse issues to evidence-based and comprehensive treatment within the criminal justice system.
The legislation provides for funding that may be used for the 9-8-8 Suicide Lifeline, which debuted in July. You can read more about Emmer’s work to support the Lifeline here.
Congressman Emmer, along with Representatives Steve Chabot (OH-1), Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) introduced the bill in June 2022. Companion legislation from Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) passed the Senate in the same month.
You can read the bill in full here.
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