I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5706 
To establish a grant program to assist eligible entities in developing or 
expanding behavioral health crisis response programs that do not rely 
primarily on law enforcement, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 8, 2025 
Ms. ANSARI (for herself, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. CLARKE of New York, 
Ms. GARCIA of Texas, Mr. GOLDMAN of New York, Ms. NORTON, Ms. 
SALINAS, Mr. THANEDAR, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, and Ms. 
TLAIB) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To establish a grant program to assist eligible entities in 
developing or expanding behavioral health crisis response 
programs that do not rely primarily on law enforcement, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Mental Health Emer-
gency Responder Act’’. 
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SEC. 
2. 
GRANT 
PROGRAM 
TO 
EXPAND 
BEHAVIORAL 
HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary 
for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall establish a 
competitive grant program (in this section referred to as 
the ‘‘program’’) to assist eligible entities in developing or 
expanding behavioral health crisis response programs that 
do not rely primarily on law enforcement. 
(b) ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES.—The following entities 
shall be eligible to receive grants under the program— 
(1) a local or Tribal government; 
(2) a regional emergency medical services agen-
cy or fire department; 
(3) a certified community behavioral health 
clinic, as defined by section 1905(jj) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(jj)); and 
(4) a nonprofit organization in partnership with 
a local government or health authority. 
(c) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—Grant funds received 
by an eligible entity under the program may be used— 
(1) to recruit, train, and equip behavioral 
health professionals and paramedics for a behavioral 
health crisis response; 
(2) to integrate co-response teams into 911 or 
988 call dispatch systems; 
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(3) to provide community education and out-
reach regarding alternatives to police-led crisis re-
sponse; 
(4) to develop or implement protocols to enable 
emergency medical services agencies to accept cus-
tody of civilians from police for transport to mental 
health facilities, if permitted under State law; and 
(5) to establish emergency medical services 
agencies, or clinician-led mobile crisis teams, as the 
primary responders to behavioral health emergencies 
in lieu of law enforcement, in a manner consistent 
with State and local laws. 
(d) LIMITATION ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.— 
Nothing in this section shall be construed— 
(1) to require any State or local government to 
modify an emergency detention or custody law; or 
(2) to authorize any entity to engage in emer-
gency detention or involuntary transport beyond 
what is permitted under an applicable State law. 
(e) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 
require each recipient of a grant under the program to 
submit to the Secretary, during such period of time as 
the Secretary determines appropriate, an annual report 
detailing response outcomes, diversion rates, and commu-
nity feedback. 
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(f) PRIORITY CONSIDERATION.—In awarding grants 
under the program, the Secretary shall prioritize applica-
tions from eligible entities located in jurisdictions that do 
not currently operate a non-law enforcement behavioral 
health crisis response program, or whose existing pro-
grams are limited in scope or capacity. 
(g) CO-RESPONSE TEAM DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘co-response team’’ means a team that includes 
at least one behavioral health professional (such as a li-
censed clinician or social worker) and at least one emer-
gency medical services provider, firefighter, or peace offi-
cer who jointly respond to behavioral health crisis calls in 
real time. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
2026 through 2030. 
Æ 
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