Mental Health and Public Safety Partnership Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-6604
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. MacArthur, Thomas [R-NJ-3]
Introduced: 2018-07-26
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Health facilities and institutions

Health programs administration and funding

Law enforcement administration and funding

Mental health

Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Latest action: action_date: 2018-10-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-07-26
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Mental Health and Public Safety Partnership Act of 2018</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a pilot program to promote coordination between community mental health centers and law enforcement agencies.</p> <p>Specifically, it directs the Department of Justice to award grants for community mental health centers to place social workers with law enforcement agencies. The purpose of the placement is to facilitate coordination on cases with an underlying mental health component.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6604 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2018 Mr. MacArthur (for himself and Mrs. Dingell ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To provide for the establishment of a pilot program to provide grants to community mental health centers for the placement of social workers with law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health and Public Safety Partnership Act of 2018 . 2. Establishment Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall establish a pilot program to provide grants to community mental health centers for the placement of social workers with law enforcement agencies to facilitate closer coordination on law enforcement issues with an underlying connection to mental health. 3. Number and amount of grants The Attorney General shall award not more than 2 grants each fiscal year to community mental health centers (as such term is defined in section 1861 of the Social Security Act) in each of the 4 census regions. Each such grant shall be in an amount not to exceed $300,000. The term of such a grant shall be 3 years. Each such mental health center shall partner with a law enforcement agency that employs not more than 100 officers in order to carry out the purposes of the grant. 4. Eligibility for placement with a law enforcement agency To be eligible for placement with a law enforcement agency under this Act, a social worker shall be— (1) licensed under the applicable State law; and (2) employed by a community mental health center. 5. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $2,400,000 for fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021. 6. Termination of program; report to Congress This Act is repealed on the date that is 3 years after a grant is first made under this Act. The Attorney General shall report to Congress not later than six months thereafter on the outcomes of any cases where the social worker became involved and the total number of such cases, and any other information deemed relevant.