Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 5725
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-10-08: 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.
Last Updated: 2025-12-18T09:06:51Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025 aims to help communities shift toward health-focused responses for mental health emergencies. It does this by creating a federal grant program to fund strategies that integrate mental health support into emergency systems, reducing reliance on traditional law enforcement where possible while prioritizing public safety.

Key Provisions

Grant Program Establishment: The Attorney General, working with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), must set up a competitive grant program within 270 days of the bill's enactment. Grants go to eligible state, Tribal, or local governments that handle emergency services, like police and medical response teams.
Eligibility and Application: Any qualifying government entity can apply by submitting details as required by the Attorney General.
Allowed Uses of Funds:
Hiring or placing mental health experts in 911 call centers to assess and triage mental health calls.
Setting up ways to redirect 911 calls directly to the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline or similar mental health hotlines.
Building partnerships between emergency services and 911 centers for smooth transfers to mental health support without callers needing to redial.
Protections and Limits:
The law does not force the removal of police from emergency responses.
It does not override state laws on involuntary mental health commitments (short-term holds for evaluation), forced treatment, or other safety measures.
Reporting Requirements: Grant recipients must submit yearly reports on response times, instances of force used by responders, rates of diverting people from jails or hospitals to treatment, and any other data requested by federal officials.
Funding: Authorizes $25 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to run the program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal grant program, adding resources for mental health integration in emergencies without altering core emergency response laws. It builds on existing systems like the 911 and 988 hotlines by encouraging better connections between them, but it explicitly avoids changing state-level rules on mental health interventions or police roles.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The Department of Justice (via the Attorney General) and Department of Health and Human Services will oversee grants, potentially increasing coordination between justice and health sectors. Local and state agencies may see improved efficiency in handling calls, with data collection aiding future policy.
Citizens: People experiencing mental health crises could get faster, more specialized help, leading to fewer escalations, reduced use of force, and better outcomes like community-based treatment instead of arrests. This might lower stigma and improve access to care in underserved areas.
International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. emergency systems.

Main Stakeholders Affected

State, Tribal, and Local Governments: Primary recipients of grants; they manage emergency services and must adapt systems or report data.
Mental Health and Emergency Professionals: Includes counselors, 911 dispatchers, and hotline operators who benefit from new roles and partnerships.
Law Enforcement and Medical Responders: Involved in responses but not displaced; they gain tools for safer, more targeted interventions.
Individuals with Behavioral Health Needs: Those in crisis (e.g., mental health or substance use issues) stand to receive more appropriate support.
Federal Agencies: Department of Justice and Health and Human Services handle program administration and funding.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces federal support for state and local initiatives without preempting (overriding) state authority on sensitive issues like involuntary holds—laws that allow temporary detention for mental health evaluation to protect individuals and the public. This preserves a balance between federal funding and local control.
Constitutional: Aligns with the federal government's spending power to incentivize state actions (via grants) without mandating changes, avoiding potential Tenth Amendment challenges (which reserves powers to states).
Political: Encourages a bipartisan focus on public health in policing, potentially reducing costs for jails and hospitals by promoting diversions to treatment. It highlights growing emphasis on mental health reform post-high-profile crisis response incidents, but implementation depends on congressional funding approval.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

Cosponsors (13)

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

Recent Actions

2025-10-08: 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.
2025-10-08: 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.
2025-10-08: Introduced in House
2025-10-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025 — issued 2025-10-08 — PDF (4 pages)