Scott Leads House Passage of Bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) led House passage of the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act. Congressman Scott introduced this bipartisan legislation in the House with Representatives Steve Chabot (OH-01), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX- 18), and Tom Emmer (MN-06). Congressman Scott’s floor remarks, as delivered, can be found below.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act. The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) is authorized through the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act, or MIOTCRA, legislation that I was proud to work on nearly 20 years ago as  then-Ranking Member of the Crime Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. This legislation has been proven to successfully connect state and local governments with necessary resources to plan and implement initiatives designed to increase public safety, save tax dollars on ineffective or even counterproductive incarceration, and improve the lives of people with mental illness and their families.   

“These grants for states and localities allow for the development of programming that connects those with mental illness and substance use issues with evidence-based and comprehensive treatment within the criminal justice system. Each year there are about two million people with serious mental illnesses admitted to jails across the nation. In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Alliance, 44 percent of those in jails and 37 percent of those in prisons, have a history of mental illness. Furthermore, once incarcerated, individuals with mental illness tend to stay in jail longer, and upon release are at a higher risk of returning to incarceration than those without mental illnesses.  

“These grants encourage collaboration between law enforcement and health care providers. The reforms to this program included in this reauthorization are centered on reducing suicide, increasing access to case management services, bolstering the roles of co-responder and crisis intervention teams, and continuing strong support of mental health courts. This bill recognizes that prevention is the best investment in the criminal justice system for long-term success and cost savings.  

 “This legislation is a result of the hard work of many including state government organizations, mental health organizations, and law enforcement organizations. I would like to thank them all and my colleagues that have led this effort with me – Representatives Chabot, Jackson Lee, and Emmer, of course the chairman of the committee Mr. Nadler, as well as Senators Cornyn, Klobuchar, Moran, Durbin, Grassley, Whitehouse, Tillis, and Cortez Masto.  

“Mr. Speaker, I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting the reauthorization of the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program so we can get this to President Biden’s desk before the end of the year.”

Click HERE to view Congressman Scott’s remarks.

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