Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4514
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-19T00:53:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 4514: Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation aims to improve mental health support for corrections officers by providing federal funding for mental health screenings and referrals to care providers. The goal is to help identify and address mental health issues among officers working in federal, state, and local detention facilities.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program: The Attorney General must establish a program within 90 days to award grants to states and localities for implementing anonymous mental health screening surveys and referrals for corrections officers at eligible prisons and jails.
- Bureau of Prisons Requirements: The Director of the Bureau of Prisons must create a similar screening and referral program for its officers and submit an implementation plan.
- Advisory Board: An Advisory Board, appointed by the Attorney General, will oversee grants, approve plans, provide technical assistance, monitor compliance, and promote best practices among mental health providers and prison administrators.
- Screening and Referral Process: Surveys must identify conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Positive results trigger immediate referral by an outreach team to local mental health providers for assessment and treatment.
- Outreach Teams: States, localities, and the Bureau of Prisons must form teams including mental health providers and a liaison to coordinate support.
- Safe Harbor Protections: Officers seeking treatment cannot face adverse employment actions, such as fitness-for-duty evaluations, while in treatment.
- Funding: Authorizes $50 million in fiscal year 2026, increasing annually to $70 million by 2030. Funds are allocated with 90% for grants and Bureau of Prisons programs, and 10% for Advisory Board operations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal grant funding and mandatory programs for mental health screenings in corrections facilities, which were not previously required under existing statutes like the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003. It adds oversight through an Advisory Board and creates safe harbor rules to shield officers from employment penalties during treatment.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Bureau of Prisons, states, and localities will need to develop and administer new screening tools, hire staff, and form outreach teams, potentially increasing administrative and operational costs.
- Citizens: Corrections officers may gain better access to confidential mental health care, which could reduce issues like suicide risk and improve job performance. Broader effects might include enhanced safety in detention facilities.
- International Relations: No direct impacts are outlined, as the bill focuses on domestic federal, state, and local operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Corrections officers in federal, state, and local facilities.
- The Bureau of Prisons and its Director.
- State and local governments, including jail and prison administrators.
- Mental health care providers and centers near detention facilities.
- The Advisory Board and related working groups.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The safe harbor provision may protect officers' rights to seek treatment without job repercussions, potentially raising questions about employment law and confidentiality in government workplaces.
- Constitutional: Provisions emphasize anonymous and confidential screenings, aligning with privacy considerations, though implementation must balance employee protections with public safety duties.
- Political: The bill emphasizes suicide prevention for corrections officers and includes a working group to link mental health programs to reduced crime and better post-release outcomes, reflecting priorities on workforce well-being in law enforcement.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-13 — PDF (14 pages)