119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 5725

Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025

Introduced

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

The Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025 aims to shift how communities respond to mental health emergencies by providing grants to states, tribes, and local governments. These grants will support the implementation of health-centered approaches, such as integrating mental health professionals into emergency response systems and directing 911 calls to crisis hotlines like 988. The goal is to reduce reliance on law enforcement and improve the timeliness and effectiveness of responses to behavioral health emergencies.

Key provisions

Establishes a grant program for crisis response alternatives.
Grants can be used to embed mental health professionals in 911 dispatch systems.
Grants can support developing alternative 911 call routing to crisis hotlines.
Grants will foster partnerships between emergency services and 911 dispatch centers.
Grants cannot require the removal of law enforcement from emergency response models.
Grants will not preempt state laws regarding involuntary psychiatric holds.
Eligible jurisdictions must submit annual reports on response times, use of force, and diversion rates.

Who is affected

State and local governments
Emergency medical services
Law enforcement agencies
Individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies
Mental health and substance abuse crisis hotline services

Notable changes

Promotes a shift from traditional law enforcement responses to health-centered approaches.

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

Reasons to support this legislation.

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Arguments opposed

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Legislative history

2025-10-08House

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.

2025-10-08House

2025-10-08

Introduced in House

2025-10-08

Introduced in House

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Oct 8, 2025XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 1st Session

H. R. 5725

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To direct the Attorney General to establish a grant to support communities transitioning to health-centered responses for mental health-related emergencies.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025

2.Grant program for crisis response alternatives

(a)EstablishmentNot later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in partnership with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall establish a grant program, to award, on a competitive basis, grants to eligible jurisdictions for the purposes of implementing or expanding health-centered crisis response strategies for individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

(b)Eligible jurisdictionsA jurisdiction shall be eligible for a grant under subsection (a) if the State, Tribal, or local government manages emergency services in response to any incident, including law enforcement and emergency medical services.

(c)ApplicationAn eligible jurisdiction seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.

(d)Use of funds

A grant awarded under subsection (a) may be used by an eligible jurisdiction to:

(1)Embed mental health professionals into 911 dispatch and call triage systems.

(2)Develop alternative 911 call routing to 988 or other mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline service.

(3)Form partnerships between State or local emergency services and State or local 911 dispatch centers to ensure a streamlined handoff without requiring the caller to hangup and dial 988 or other mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline service.

(e)Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to—

(1)

require a State, Tribe, or local government to remove law enforcement from an emergency response model; or

(2)preempt a State law regarding involuntary psychiatric holds, involuntary treatment, or any emergency authority that would hinder public safety.

(f)Reporting requirement

An eligible jurisdiction awarded a grant under this section shall submit an annual report on—

(1)the amount of time it takes for a response to an incident;

(2)use of force by law enforcement or any other individual responding to an incident where an individual requires assistance;

(3)

diversion rates; and

(4)any other information requested by the Attorney General or Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.

(g)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.

HR 5725

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Positions across the country

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Bill text

Fiscal impact

Positions across the country