I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2994 
To protect individuals by strengthening the Nation’s mental health infrastruc-
ture, improving the understanding of violence, strengthening firearm 
prohibitions and protections for at-risk individuals, and improving and 
expanding the reporting of mental health records to the National Instant 
Criminal Background Check System. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 9, 2015 
Mr. THOMPSON of California (for himself, Mr. PERLMUTTER, Ms. TSONGAS, 
Mr. FATTAH, Ms. ESTY, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. HIMES, Mr. SWALWELL of 
California, Ms. NORTON, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. 
CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. ELLISON, Ms. MATSUI, 
Ms. EDWARDS, Mr. QUIGLEY, Ms. LEE, and Mrs. CAPPS) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and 
in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to 
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To protect individuals by strengthening the Nation’s mental 
health infrastructure, improving the understanding of vi-
olence, strengthening firearm prohibitions and protec-
tions for at-risk individuals, and improving and expand-
ing the reporting of mental health records to the Na-
tional Instant Criminal Background Check System. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Safer Communities 
Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents of this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
Sec. 3. Statement of purpose. 
TITLE I—STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVING INTERVENTION 
EFFORTS 
Sec. 101. Mental health crisis assessment, prevention, and education grant pro-
gram. 
Sec. 102. School-based mental health programs. 
Sec. 103. Justice and mental health collaboration. 
TITLE II—IMPROVING RESEARCH ON VIOLENCE 
Sec. 201. Research with respect to violence. 
TITLE III—UNDERSTANDING THE EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE 
Sec. 301. National violent death reporting system. 
Sec. 302. Reaffirming Centers for Disease Control’s authority. 
Sec. 303. Protecting confidential doctor-patient relationship. 
TITLE IV—ENSURING SAFE COMMUNITIES 
Sec. 401. Ban on firearm possession by person committed involuntarily to men-
tal institution on an outpatient basis. 
Sec. 402. Grant program regarding firearms. 
Sec. 403. Notification of State and local law enforcement authorities of attempt 
to purchase firearm by ineligible person. 
TITLE V—RESTORATION 
Sec. 501. Federal agency relief program. 
Sec. 502. State relief programs. 
Sec. 503. Ineligibility due to disqualifying mental status. 
TITLE VI—SUBMISSION OF RECORDS TO NATIONAL INSTANT 
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM 
Sec. 601. Reports relating to submission of information to NICS. 
Sec. 602. Reauthorization of the National Criminal History Records Improve-
ment Program. 
Sec. 603. Improvement of metrics and incentives. 
Sec. 604. Grants to States to improve coordination and automation of NICS 
record reporting. 
Sec. 605. Sharing of records by Federal departments and agencies with NICS. 
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SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to ensure the public safety 
and welfare of communities by promoting evidence-based 
approaches that will prevent the tragic toll of gun violence 
on families and communities. This purpose can be accom-
plished by— 
(1) strengthening and improving intervention 
efforts by increasing investments in programs de-
signed to appropriately identify, respond to, treat, 
and mitigate future behavioral health crises; 
(2) prioritizing research on reducing the threat 
of gun violence to self or others and identifying fur-
ther risk factors for violence, including gender, cul-
ture, substance abuse, and history of violence; and 
(3) restricting gun access by individuals found 
to at an elevated risk of committing future acts of 
violence against self or others. 
TITLE I—STRENGTHENING AND 
IMPROVING 
INTERVENTION 
EFFORTS 
SEC. 101. MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ASSESSMENT, PREVEN-
TION, AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the 
following definitions shall apply: 
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(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means a State, political subdivision of a State, 
or nonprofit private entity. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each 
State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
each commonwealth, territory or possession of the 
United States, and each federally recognized Indian 
tribe. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish a program to award grants to eligible entities 
to carry out the activities described in paragraph 
(2). 
(2) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Grants under this sec-
tion may be used to carry out programs that— 
(i) expand early invention and treat-
ment services to improve access to mental 
health crisis assistance and address unmet 
mental health care needs; 
(ii) expand the continuum of services 
to address crisis intervention and crisis 
stabilization; 
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(iii) reduce recidivism due to mental 
health crises and mitigate unnecessary ex-
penditures by local law enforcement; and 
(iv) reduce unnecessary hospitaliza-
tions by appropriately utilizing community- 
based services and improving access to 
timely mental health crisis assistance. 
(B) AUTHORIZED
ACTIVITIES.—The pro-
grams described in subparagraph (A) may in-
clude any or all of the following activities: 
(i) Mental health crisis intervention 
and response training for law enforcement 
(to increase officers’ understanding and 
recognition of mental illnesses). 
(ii) Mobile support that provides field- 
based behavioral health assistance to law 
enforcement and members of the commu-
nity and links individuals in crisis to ap-
propriate services. 
(iii) 
School 
and 
community-based 
early intervention and prevention programs 
that provide mobile response, screening 
and assessment, training and education, 
and peer-based and family services. 
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(3) APPLICATION.—To be considered for a 
grant under this section, an eligible entity shall sub-
mit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as 
the Secretary may require. At minimum, such appli-
cation shall include a description of— 
(A) the activities to be funded with the 
grant; 
(B) community needs; 
(C) the population to be served; and 
(D) the interaction between the activities 
described in subparagraph (A) and public sys-
tems of health and mental health care, law en-
forcement, social services, and related assist-
ance programs. 
(4) SELECTING AMONG APPLICANTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Grants shall be award-
ed to eligible entities on a competitive basis. 
(B) SELECTION CRITERIA.—The Secretary 
shall evaluate applicants based on such criteria 
as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, 
including the ability of an applicant to carry 
out the activities described in paragraph (2). 
(5) REPORTS.— 
(A) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
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(i) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—As a condi-
tion of receiving a grant under this section, 
an eligible entity shall agree to submit a 
report to the Secretary, on an annual 
basis, describing the activities carried out 
with the grant and assessing the effective-
ness of such activities. 
(ii) 
SECRETARY.—The 
Secretary 
shall, on an annual basis, and using the re-
ports received under clause (i), report to 
Congress on the overall impact and effec-
tiveness of the grant program under this 
section. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Janu-
ary 15, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a final report that includes rec-
ommendations with respect to the feasibility 
and advisability of extending or expanding the 
grant program. 
(6) COLLECTION OF DATA.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall col-
lect data on the grant program to determine its 
effectiveness in reducing the social impact of 
mental health crises and the feasibility and ad-
visability of extending the grant program. 
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(B) MANNER OF COLLECTION.—Data de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) shall be collected 
and analyzed using a scientific peer-reviewed 
system and valid and reliable results-based re-
search methodologies. 
(c) FUNDING.— 
(1) GRANT AMOUNT.—A grant under this sec-
tion shall be in an amount that is not more than 
$100,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
2020. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Sec-
retary shall determine the amount of each grant. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2016 through 2020. 
SEC. 102. SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. 
(a) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—The second part G 
(relating to services provided through religious organiza-
tions) of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 290kk et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating such part as part J; and 
(2) by redesignating sections 581 through 584 
as sections 596 through 596C, respectively. 
(b) SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND CHIL-
DREN AND VIOLENCE.—Section 581 of the Public Health 
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Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290hh) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘SEC. 581. SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND CHIL-
DREN AND VIOLENCE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in collaboration 
with the Secretary of Education and in consultation with 
the Attorney General, shall, directly or through grants, 
contracts, or cooperative agreements awarded to public en-
tities and local education agencies, assist local commu-
nities and schools in applying a public health approach 
to mental health services both in schools and in the com-
munity. Such approach should provide comprehensive age- 
appropriate services and supports, be linguistically and 
culturally appropriate, be trauma-informed, and incor-
porate age-appropriate strategies of positive behavioral 
interventions and supports. A comprehensive school men-
tal health program funded under this section shall assist 
children in dealing with trauma and violence. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—Under the program under sub-
section (a), the Secretary may— 
‘‘(1) provide financial support to enable local 
communities to implement a comprehensive cul-
turally and linguistically appropriate, trauma-in-
formed, and age-appropriate, school mental health 
program that incorporates positive behavioral inter-
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ventions, client treatment, and supports to foster the 
health and development of children; 
‘‘(2) provide technical assistance to local com-
munities with respect to the development of pro-
grams described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(3) provide assistance to local communities in 
the development of policies to address child and ado-
lescent trauma and mental health issues and violence 
when and if it occurs; 
‘‘(4) facilitate community partnerships among 
families, students, law enforcement agencies, edu-
cation systems, mental health and substance use dis-
order service systems, family-based mental health 
service systems, welfare agencies, health care service 
systems (including physicians), faith-based pro-
grams, trauma networks, and other community- 
based systems; and 
‘‘(5) establish mechanisms for children and ado-
lescents to report incidents of violence or plans by 
other children, adolescents, or adults to commit vio-
lence. 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible for a grant, 
contract, or cooperative agreement under subsection 
(a), an entity shall— 
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‘‘(A) be a partnership between a local edu-
cation agency and at least one community pro-
gram or agency that is involved in mental 
health; and 
‘‘(B) submit an application, that is en-
dorsed by all members of the partnership, that 
contains the assurances described in paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(2) REQUIRED ASSURANCES.—An application 
under paragraph (1) shall contain assurances as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(A) That the applicant will ensure that, 
in carrying out activities under this section, the 
local educational agency involved will enter into 
a memorandum of understanding— 
‘‘(i) with at least one public or private 
mental health entity, health care entity, 
law enforcement or juvenile justice entity, 
child welfare agency, family-based mental 
health entity, family or family organiza-
tion, trauma network, or other community- 
based entity; and 
‘‘(ii) that clearly states— 
‘‘(I) how school-employed mental 
health professionals (such as school 
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psychologists, school counselors, and 
school social workers) will be utilized 
in the comprehensive school mental 
health program; 
‘‘(II) the responsibilities of each 
partner with respect to the activities 
to be carried out; 
‘‘(III) how each such partner will 
be accountable for carrying out such 
responsibilities; and 
‘‘(IV) the amount of non-Federal 
funding or in-kind contributions that 
each such partner will contribute in 
order to sustain the program. 
‘‘(B) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section supports the flexible use of funds to ad-
dress— 
‘‘(i) the promotion of the social, emo-
tional, mental, and behavioral health and 
wellness of all students in an environment 
that is conducive to learning; 
‘‘(ii) the reduction in the likelihood of 
at risk students developing social, emo-
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tional, mental, and behavioral health prob-
lems, or substance use disorders; 
‘‘(iii) the early identification of social, 
emotional, mental, and behavioral prob-
lems, or substance use disorders and the 
provision of early intervention services; 
‘‘(iv) the treatment or referral for 
treatment of students with existing social, 
emotional, mental, and behavioral health 
problems, or substance use disorders; and 
‘‘(v) the development and implementa-
tion of programs to assist children in deal-
ing with trauma and violence. 
‘‘(C) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will provide for in-service training of all 
school personnel, including ancillary staff and 
volunteers, in— 
‘‘(i) the techniques and supports need-
ed to identify early children with trauma 
histories and children with, or at risk of, 
mental illness; 
‘‘(ii) the use of referral mechanisms 
that effectively link such children to appro-
priate treatment and intervention services 
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in the school and in the community and to 
follow-up when services are not available; 
‘‘(iii) strategies that promote the so-
cial, emotional, mental, and behavioral 
health and wellness of all students; 
‘‘(iv) strategies for promoting the so-
cial, emotional, mental, and behavioral 
health of all students; and 
‘‘(v) strategies to increase the knowl-
edge and skills of school and community 
leaders about the impact of trauma and vi-
olence and on the application of a public 
health approach to comprehensive school- 
based mental health programs. 
‘‘(D) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will include comprehensive training for 
parents, siblings, and other family members of 
children with mental health disorders, and for 
concerned members of the community in— 
‘‘(i) the techniques and supports need-
ed to identify early children with trauma 
histories, and children with, or at risk of, 
mental illness; 
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section will be coordinated with early inter-
vening activities carried out under the Individ-
uals with Disabilities Education Act. 
‘‘(I) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will be trauma-informed and culturally 
and linguistically appropriate. 
‘‘(J) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will include a broad needs assessment of 
youth who drop out of school due to policies of 
‘zero tolerance’ with respect to drugs, alcohol, 
or weapons and an inability to obtain appro-
priate services. 
‘‘(K) That the mental health services pro-
vided through the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will be provided by qualified mental and 
behavioral health professionals who are certified 
or licensed by the State involved and practicing 
within their area of expertise. 
‘‘(3) COORDINATOR.—Any entity that is a 
member of a partnership described in paragraph 
(1)(A) may serve as the coordinator of funding and 
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activities under the grant if all members of the part-
nership agree. 
‘‘(4) COMPLIANCE
WITH
HIPAA.—A grantee 
under this section shall be deemed to be a covered 
entity for purposes of compliance with the regula-
tions promulgated under section 264(c) of the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
of 1996 with respect to any patient records devel-
oped through activities under the grant. 
‘‘(d) GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary 
shall ensure that grants, contracts, or cooperative agree-
ments under subsection (a) will be distributed equitably 
among the regions of the country and among urban and 
rural areas. 
‘‘(e) DURATION
OF AWARDS.—With respect to a 
grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under sub-
section (a), the period during which payments under such 
an award will be made to the recipient shall be 6 years. 
An entity may receive only one award under this section, 
except that an entity that is providing services and sup-
ports on a regional basis may receive additional funding 
after the expiration of the preceding grant period. 
‘‘(f) EVALUATION AND MEASURES OF OUTCOMES.— 
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT
OF
PROCESS.—The Ad-
ministrator shall develop a fiscally appropriate proc-
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ess for evaluating activities carried out under this 
section. Such process shall include— 
‘‘(A) the development of guidelines for the 
submission of program data by grant, contract, 
or cooperative agreement recipients; 
‘‘(B) the development of measures of out-
comes (in accordance with paragraph (2)) to be 
applied by such recipients in evaluating pro-
grams carried out under this section; and 
‘‘(C) the submission of annual reports by 
such recipients concerning the effectiveness of 
programs carried out under this section. 
‘‘(2) MEASURES OF OUTCOMES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall develop measures of outcomes to be ap-
plied by recipients of assistance under this sec-
tion, and the Administrator, in evaluating the 
effectiveness of programs carried out under this 
section. Such measures shall include student 
and family measures as provided for in sub-
paragraph (B) and local educational measures 
as provided for under subparagraph (C). 
‘‘(B) STUDENT AND FAMILY MEASURES OF 
OUTCOMES.—The measures of outcomes devel-
oped under paragraph (1)(B) relating to stu-
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dents and families shall, with respect to activi-
ties carried out under a program under this 
section, at a minimum include provisions to 
evaluate whether the program is effective in— 
‘‘(i) improving social, emotional, men-
tal, and behavioral health and wellness; 
‘‘(ii) increasing academic competency 
(as defined by Secretary); 
‘‘(iii) reducing disruptive and aggres-
sive behaviors; 
‘‘(iv) improving child functioning; 
‘‘(v) reducing substance use disorders; 
‘‘(vi) reducing suspensions, truancy, 
expulsions and violence; 
‘‘(vii) increasing graduation rates (as 
defined in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965); and 
‘‘(viii) improving access to care for 
mental health disorders. 
‘‘(C) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.— 
The outcome measures developed under para-
graph (1)(B) relating to local educational sys-
tems shall, with respect to activities carried out 
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under a program under this section, at a min-
imum include provisions to evaluate— 
‘‘(i) the effectiveness of comprehensive 
school mental health programs established 
under this section; 
‘‘(ii) the effectiveness of formal part-
nership linkages among child and family 
serving institutions, community support 
systems, and the educational system; 
‘‘(iii) the progress made in sustaining 
the program once funding under the grant 
has expired; 
‘‘(iv) the effectiveness of training and 
professional development programs for all 
school personnel that incorporate indica-
tors that measure cultural and linguistic 
competencies under the program in a man-
ner that incorporates appropriate cultural 
and linguistic training; 
‘‘(v) the improvement in perception of 
a safe and supportive learning environment 
among school staff, students, and parents; 
‘‘(vi) the improvement in case-finding 
of students in need of more intensive serv-
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ices and referral of identified students to 
early intervention and clinical services; 
‘‘(vii) the improvement in the imme-
diate availability of clinical assessment and 
treatment services within the context of 
the local community to students posing a 
danger to themselves or others; 
‘‘(viii) the increased successful matric-
ulation to postsecondary school; and 
‘‘(ix) reduced referrals to juvenile jus-
tice. 
‘‘(3) SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL DATA.—An entity 
that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agree-
ment under this section shall annually submit to the 
Administrator a report that includes data to evalu-
ate the success of the program carried out by the en-
tity based on whether such program is achieving the 
purposes of the program. Such reports shall utilize 
the measures of outcomes under paragraph (2) in a 
reasonable manner to demonstrate the progress of 
the program in achieving such purposes. 
‘‘(4) EVALUATION BY ADMINISTRATOR.—Based 
on the data submitted under paragraph (3), the Ad-
ministrator shall annually submit to Congress a re-
port concerning the results and effectiveness of the 
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programs carried out with assistance received under 
this section. 
‘‘(5) LIMITATION.—A grantee shall use not to 
exceed 10 percent of amounts received under a grant 
under this section to carry out evaluation activities 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(g) INFORMATION
AND
EDUCATION.—The Sec-
retary shall establish comprehensive information and edu-
cation programs to disseminate the findings of the knowl-
edge development and application under this section to the 
general public and to health care professionals. 
‘‘(h) AMOUNT OF GRANTS AND AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—A grant under this 
section shall be in an amount that is not more than 
$1,000,000 for each of grant years 2016 through 
2020. The Secretary shall determine the amount of 
each such grant based on the population of children 
up to age 21 of the area to be served under the 
grant. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this section, $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2016 through 2020.’’. 
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(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Part G of title V of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290hh et seq.), 
as amended by this section, is further amended by striking 
the part heading and inserting the following: 
‘‘PART G—SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH’’. 
SEC. 103. JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATION. 
(a) ASSISTING VETERANS.— 
(1) REDESIGNATION.—Section 2991 of the Om-
nibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 3797aa) is amended by redesignating 
subsection (i) as subsection (l). 
(2) ASSISTING VETERANS.—Section 2991 of the 
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa) is amended by inserting 
after subsection (h) the following: 
‘‘(i) ASSISTING VETERANS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) PEER TO PEER SERVICES OR PRO-
GRAMS.—The term ‘peer to peer services or 
programs’ means services or programs that con-
nect qualified veterans with other veterans for 
the 
purpose 
of 
providing 
support 
and 
mentorship to assist qualified veterans in ob-
taining treatment, recovery, stabilization, or re-
habilitation. 
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‘‘(B) QUALIFIED
VETERAN.—The term 
‘qualified veteran’ means a preliminarily quali-
fied offender who— 
‘‘(i) has served on active duty in any 
branch of the Armed Forces, including the 
National Guard and reserve components; 
and 
‘‘(ii) was discharged or released from 
such service under conditions other than 
dishonorable. 
‘‘(C) VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PRO-
GRAM.—The term ‘veterans treatment court 
program’ means a court program involving col-
laboration among criminal justice, veterans, and 
mental health and substance abuse agencies 
that provides qualified veterans with— 
‘‘(i) intensive judicial supervision and 
case management, which may include ran-
dom and frequent drug testing where ap-
propriate; 
‘‘(ii) a full continuum of treatment 
services, including mental health services, 
substance abuse services, medical services, 
and services to address trauma; 
‘‘(iii) alternatives to incarceration; or 
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‘‘(iv) other appropriate services, which 
may include housing, transportation, men-
toring, employment, job training, edu-
cation, and assistance in applying for and 
obtaining available benefits. 
‘‘(2) VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, may award grants under this sub-
section to applicants to establish or expand— 
‘‘(i) veterans treatment court pro-
grams; 
‘‘(ii) peer to peer services or programs 
for qualified veterans; 
‘‘(iii) practices that identify and pro-
vide treatment, rehabilitation, legal, transi-
tional, and other appropriate services to 
qualified veterans who have been incarcer-
ated; and 
‘‘(iv) training programs to teach 
criminal justice, law enforcement, correc-
tions, mental health, and substance abuse 
personnel how to identify and appro-
priately respond to incidents involving 
qualified veterans. 
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‘‘(B) 
PRIORITY.—In 
awarding 
grants 
under this subsection, the Attorney General 
shall give priority to applications that— 
‘‘(i) demonstrate collaboration be-
tween and joint investments by criminal 
justice, mental health, substance abuse, 
and veterans service agencies; 
‘‘(ii) promote effective strategies to 
identify and reduce the risk of harm to 
qualified veterans and public safety; and 
‘‘(iii) propose interventions with em-
pirical support to improve outcomes for 
qualified veterans.’’. 
(b) CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.—Section 2991 of 
the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 3797aa) is amended by inserting after sub-
section (i), as so added by subsection (a), the following: 
‘‘(j) CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.— 
‘‘(A) CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.—The term 
‘correctional facility’ means a jail, prison, or 
other detention facility used to house people 
who have been arrested, detained, held, or con-
victed by a criminal justice agency or a court. 
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‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE INMATE.—The term ‘eligi-
ble inmate’ means an individual who— 
‘‘(i) is being held, detained, or incar-
cerated in a correctional facility; and 
‘‘(ii) manifests obvious signs of a 
mental illness or has been diagnosed by a 
qualified mental health professional as hav-
ing a mental illness. 
‘‘(2) CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY
GRANTS.—The 
Attorney General may award grants to applicants to 
enhance the capabilities of a correctional facility— 
‘‘(A) to identify and screen for eligible in-
mates; 
‘‘(B) to plan and provide— 
‘‘(i) initial and periodic assessments of 
the clinical, medical, and social needs of in-
mates; and 
‘‘(ii) appropriate treatment and serv-
ices that address the mental health and 
substance abuse needs of inmates; 
‘‘(C) to develop, implement, and enhance— 
‘‘(i) post-release transition plans for 
eligible inmates that, in a comprehensive 
manner, coordinate health, housing, med-
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ical, employment, and other appropriate 
services and public benefits; 
‘‘(ii) the availability of mental health 
care services and substance abuse treat-
ment services; and 
‘‘(iii) alternatives to solitary confine-
ment and segregated housing and mental 
health screening and treatment for inmates 
placed in solitary confinement or seg-
regated housing; and 
‘‘(D) to train each employee of the correc-
tional facility to identify and appropriately re-
spond to incidents involving inmates with men-
tal health or co-occurring mental health and 
substance abuse disorders.’’. 
(c) HIGH UTILIZERS.—Section 2991 of the Omnibus 
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
3797aa) is amended by inserting after subsection (j), as 
added by subsection (b), the following: 
‘‘(k) DEMONSTRATION GRANTS RESPONDING
TO 
HIGH UTILIZERS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term 
‘high utilizer’ means an individual who— 
‘‘(A) manifests obvious signs of mental ill-
ness or has been diagnosed by a qualified men-
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tal health professional as having a mental ill-
ness; and 
‘‘(B) consumes a significantly dispropor-
tionate quantity of public resources, such as 
emergency, housing, judicial, corrections, and 
law enforcement services. 
‘‘(2) DEMONSTRATION GRANTS RESPONDING TO 
HIGH UTILIZERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General 
may award not more than 6 grants per year 
under this subsection to applicants for the pur-
pose of reducing the use of public services by 
high utilizers. 
‘‘(B) USE OF GRANTS.—A recipient of a 
grant awarded under this subsection may use 
the grant— 
‘‘(i) to develop or support multidisci-
plinary teams that coordinate, implement, 
and administer community-based crisis re-
sponses and long-term plans for high uti-
lizers; 
‘‘(ii) to provide training on how to re-
spond appropriately to the unique issues 
involving high utilizers for public service 
personnel, including criminal justice, men-
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tal health, substance abuse, emergency 
room, healthcare, law enforcement, correc-
tions, and housing personnel; 
‘‘(iii) to develop or support alter-
natives to hospital and jail admissions for 
high utilizers that provide treatment, sta-
bilization, and other appropriate supports 
in the least restrictive, yet appropriate, en-
vironment; or 
‘‘(iv) to develop protocols and systems 
among law enforcement, mental health, 
substance abuse, housing, corrections, and 
emergency medical service operations to 
provide coordinated assistance to high uti-
lizers. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than the last 
day of the first year following the fiscal year in 
which a grant is awarded under this subsection, 
the recipient of the grant shall submit to the 
Attorney General a report that— 
‘‘(i) measures the performance of the 
grant recipient in reducing the use of pub-
lic services by high utilizers; and 
‘‘(ii) provides a model set of practices, 
systems, or procedures that other jurisdic-
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tions can adopt to reduce the use of public 
services by high utilizers.’’. 
(d) ACADEMY TRAINING.—Section 2991(h) of the 
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 3797aa(h)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(F) ACADEMY
TRAINING.—To provide 
support for academy curricula, law enforcement 
officer orientation programs, continuing edu-
cation training, and other programs that teach 
law enforcement personnel how to identify and 
respond to incidents involving individuals with 
mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and 
substance abuse disorders.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) PRIORITY CONSIDERATION.—The Attorney 
General, in awarding grants under this subsection, 
shall give priority to programs that law enforcement 
personnel and members of the mental health and 
substance abuse professions develop and administer 
cooperatively.’’. 
(e) EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES.—Section 2991(c) 
of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa(c)) is amended— 
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(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (6); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3), the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) propose interventions that have been 
shown by empirical evidence to reduce recidivism; 
‘‘(5) when appropriate, use validated assess-
ment tools to target preliminarily qualified offenders 
with a moderate or high risk of recidivism and a 
need for treatment and services; or’’. 
(f) SAFE COMMUNITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 2991(a) of the Om-
nibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 3797aa(a)) is amended by striking para-
graph (9) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(9) PRELIMINARILY QUALIFIED OFFENDER.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘prelimi-
narily qualified offender’ means an adult or ju-
venile accused of an offense who— 
‘‘(i)(I) previously or currently has 
been diagnosed by a qualified mental 
health professional as having a mental ill-
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ness or co-occurring mental illness and 
substance abuse disorders; 
‘‘(II) manifests obvious signs of men-
tal illness or co-occurring mental illness 
and substance abuse disorders during ar-
rest or confinement or before any court; or 
‘‘(III) in the case of a veterans treat-
ment court provided under subsection (i), 
has been diagnosed with, or manifests ob-
vious signs of, mental illness or a sub-
stance abuse disorder or co-occurring men-
tal illness and substance abuse disorder; 
and 
‘‘(ii) has been unanimously approved 
for participation in a program funded 
under this section by, when appropriate, 
the relevant— 
‘‘(I) prosecuting attorney; 
‘‘(II) defense attorney; 
‘‘(III) probation or corrections 
official; 
‘‘(IV) judge; and 
‘‘(V) a representative from the 
relevant mental health agency de-
scribed in subsection (b)(5)(B)(i). 
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‘‘(B) DETERMINATION.—In determining 
whether to designate an individual as a prelimi-
narily qualified offender, the relevant pros-
ecuting attorney, defense attorney, probation or 
corrections official, judge, and mental health or 
substance abuse agency representative shall 
take into account— 
‘‘(i) whether the participation of the 
individual in the program would pose a 
substantial risk of violence to the commu-
nity; 
‘‘(ii) the criminal history of the indi-
vidual and the nature and severity of the 
offense for which the individual is charged; 
‘‘(iii) the views of any relevant victims 
to the offense; 
‘‘(iv) the extent to which the indi-
vidual would benefit from participation in 
the program; 
‘‘(v) the extent to which the commu-
nity would realize cost savings because of 
the individual’s participation in the pro-
gram; and 
‘‘(vi) whether the individual satisfies 
the eligibility criteria for program partici-
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pation unanimously established by the rel-
evant prosecuting attorney, defense attor-
ney, probation or corrections official, judge 
and mental health or substance abuse 
agency representative.’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL
AND
CONFORMING
AMEND-
MENT.—Section 2927(2) of the Omnibus Crime 
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
3797s–6(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘has the mean-
ing given that term in section 2991(a).’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘means an offense that— 
‘‘(A) does not have as an element the use, 
attempted use, or threatened use of physical 
force against the person or property of another; 
or 
‘‘(B) is not a felony that by its nature in-
volves a substantial risk that physical force 
against the person or property of another may 
be used in the course of committing the of-
fense.’’. 
(g) REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Sub-
section (l) of section 2991 of the Omnibus Crime Control 
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa), as re-
designated in subsection (a)(1), is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
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(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2016 through 2020.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—Not more than 20 percent 
of the funds authorized to be appropriated under 
this section may be used for purposes described in 
subsection (i) (relating to veterans).’’. 
TITLE II—IMPROVING 
RESEARCH ON VIOLENCE 
SEC. 201. RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO VIOLENCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, in consultation with the Director of the 
National Institutes of Health, shall expand and intensify 
research on self-directed and other-directed violence asso-
ciated with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. 
(b) LIMITATIONS
ON AUTHORIZATION
OF APPRO-
PRIATIONS.—To carry out subsection (a), there are au-
thorized to be appropriated $100,000, without fiscal year 
limitation, which is authorized to remain available until 
expended. 
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TITLE 
III—UNDERSTANDING 
THE EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIO-
LENCE 
SEC. 301. NATIONAL VIOLENT DEATH REPORTING SYSTEM. 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, shall improve the National Violent Death 
Reporting System, as authorized by title III of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.), particularly 
through the expansion of the application of such system 
to include the 50 States. Participation in the system by 
the States shall be voluntary. 
SEC. 302. REAFFIRMING CENTERS FOR DISEASE CON-
TROL’S AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 391 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘research 
relating to the causes, mechanisms, prevention, diag-
nosis, treatment of injuries, and rehabilitation from 
injuries;’’ and inserting ‘‘research, including data 
collection, relating to— 
‘‘(A) the causes, mechanisms, prevention, diag-
nosis, and treatment of injuries, including with re-
spect to gun violence; and 
‘‘(B) rehabilitation from such injuries;’’; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) NO ADVOCACY OR PROMOTION OF GUN CON-
TROL.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to— 
‘‘(1) authorize the Secretary to give assistance, 
make grants, or enter into cooperative agreements or 
contracts for the purpose of advocating or promoting 
gun control; or 
‘‘(2) permit a recipient of any assistance, grant, 
cooperative agreement, or contract under this section 
to use such assistance, grant, agreement, or contract 
for the purpose of advocating or promoting gun con-
trol.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
394A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280b– 
3) is amended by striking ‘‘authorized to be appropriated’’ 
and all that follows through the end and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘authorized to be appropriated such sums as may 
be necessary for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.’’. 
SEC. 303. PROTECTING CONFIDENTIAL DOCTOR-PATIENT 
RELATIONSHIP. 
Section 2717(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300gg–17(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
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