{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-introduces-bipartisan-justice-and-mental-health-collaboration-reauthorization-act", "Emmer Introduces Bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act", "2022-06-22", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representatives Tom Emmer (MN-06), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Steve Chabot (OH-01), and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX- 18) introduced the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act.\n\nThe legislation would reauthorize for five years the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), a critically important grant program that allows states and localities to develop programming that connects those with mental illness and substance abuse issues with evidence-based and comprehensive treatment within the criminal justice system. Among the reforms in the bill are the centering of suicide prevention as a key goal of the program, increasing access to case management services, bolstering the roles of co-responder and crisis intervention teams, training law enforcement, and continuing strong support of mental health courts.\n\n\u201cOur law enforcement officers are often the first to respond during a mental health or substance abuse crisis,\u201d said Congressman Emmer. \u201cWe must ensure they have the resources they need to provide appropriate, compassionate intervention to some of the most vulnerable among us. I am proud to join this bipartisan effort to offer them the best possible tools in our fight against mental illness.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese grants take a comprehensive approach to criminal justice reform by encouraging collaboration between law enforcement and health care providers,\u201d said Congressman Scott. \u201cI am grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues as we remain committed to ensuring these critical resources remain intact.\u201d\n\n\u201cToo often, when our Law Enforcement Officers encounter an individual facing mental health challenges, they lack the resources needed to deescalate the situation,\u201d said Congressman Chabot. By helping states to take proactive steps such as developing law enforcement training and crisis intervention programs, this important bipartisan legislation will continue to better prepare law enforcement, improve outcomes and help ensure those who need treatment get the assistance they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cProviding treatment and supportive services to people with mental health issues and substance abuse problems is an important element of a comprehensive strategy for the reduction of crime and helping would-be criminals toward a constructive life path,\u201d Congresswoman Jackson Lee explained. \u201cThis bill is especially important as a catalyst for interventions benefitting youth \u2013 especially in urban and minority populations \u2013 who suffer greatly in our criminal justice system and are frequently treated unfairly. I am pleased that this bipartisan legislation will reauthorize and revitalize this remarkable grant program that provides mental health services through an intergovernmental partnership, and ultimately, helps our communities become safer.\u201d\n\nThe grants authorized through JMHCP have been awarded to 49 states and the District of Columbia. Grants may be used for a broad range of activities to meet a community\u2019s needs. This includes:\n\nUniversal mental health screening and assessment in jail\n\nMental health and substance use treatment\n\nMental Health Courts\n\nCross-training criminal justice and mental health personnel\n\nReentry services\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-introduces-bipartisan-justice-and-mental-health-collaboration-reauthorization-act"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6683887913823128, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}