Issue: Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act

Impact:

State and local courts are eligible to apply for this grant program.

Position:

 State court leaders support funding for this purpose.

Summary:

 The Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2007 would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize through FY2013 the grant programs for: (1) adult and juvenile collaboration for access to adequate mental health treatment; and (2) mental health courts.

The Attorney General would be authorized to make grants to: (1) train law enforcement and campus security personnel to respond appropriately to incidents involving mentally-ill individuals; (2) treat female offenders with mental illnesses; (3) assist correctional facilities to identify and provide treatment plans for mentally-ill offenders; and (4) coordinate state treatment and services for mentally-ill offenders.

HR 3992 would also require the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on the rate of occurrence of serious mental illnesses in offenders, including juveniles, who are incarcerated or on probation or parole.

Status:

 On 10/30/07, Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2007 (HR 3992), which includes reauthorization of the mental health court grant program and the adult and juvenile collaboration grant programs. On 1/23/08, the House approved HR 3992 by voice vote.

On 11/5/07, Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) also introduced a reauthorization bill (S 2304). On 3/6/08, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved by voice vote an amended S 2304 to reauthorize the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act through 2013. A substitute amendment by Chairman Leahy brought the Senate bill in line with HR 3992. The Senate approved S 2304 by unanimous consent on 9/26/08. The House approved S 2304 by a voice vote on 9/29/08 and the President signed the bill on 10/14/08 making it P.L. 110-416.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $12 million for FY 2009. The House CJS Subcommittee has proposed $10 million.