Chavez-DeRemer cosponsors bill to improve police responses to behavioral health incidents

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) has joined the Supporting the Health and Safety of Law Enforcement Act as a cosponsor. The bipartisan proposal, introduced by Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), would protect public safety by improving the effectiveness of responses to emergency situations involving behavioral health disorders.

Specifically, the legislation seeks to match law enforcement officers with mental health professionals to help them respond to mental health crises, including incidents involving homeless individuals.

“In my conversations with law enforcement and behavioral health professionals, they’ve made it clear that more federal support is needed to address our mental health and addiction crises in Oregon. This legislation will help improve outcomes for calls related to mental health emergencies by providing grant funding to improve coordination between law enforcement and community health centers. I’ll continue taking an all-of-the-above approach to improve public safety in our communities,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, two million people with mental health disorders are booked into jail every year, and nearly 15 percent of men and 30 percent of women booked into jails have serious mental health conditions. 

The Supporting the Health and Safety of Law Enforcement Act would establish a three-year pilot program through the Department of Justice to provide grant funding up to $300,000 over three years to facilitate closer coordination between community mental health centers and law enforcement. Following the pilot program, the DOJ would be required to issue a report to Congress outlining its effectiveness.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.