Improving Mental Healthcare in the Re-Entry System Act of 2024

This bill establishes a federal grant program requiring mental health screenings for individuals entering jails and prisons, with referrals to mental healthcare providers for those identified with severe mental illness (such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) before or immediately after release. Grantees (states and localities) must hire mental health liaisons, administer a brief 5-10 question screening survey based on established guidelines, and form outreach teams to contact individuals within 48 hours of release for referrals. Funded with $600 million over five years, the program mandates data collection and evaluation to measure impacts on recidivism, employment, and mental healthcare access, with oversight by an independent Advisory Board.