HR 6451 United States House · 118th Congress

Mental Health Justice Act of 2023

HR 6451, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2023, provides $250 million in federal grants to states, tribes, and localities to hire mental health professionals as first responders for specific emergencies. It directs these professionals to replace police in situations involving mental health crises, substance use, or intellectual/developmental disabilities - such as when a 911 caller describes a mental health emergency or a first responder identifies someone needing mental health support. The bill requires grantees to train responders in de-escalation techniques, link individuals to community-based services (not incarceration), and report on outcomes like reduced arrests or use of force. It also mandates data collection on demographics and prevents funneling people into institutional settings, with annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2023

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Nov 17, 2023 Last action Nov 24, 2023

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Nov 24, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

lower

Nov 17, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Nov 17, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 161 co-sponsors