Late last week, the U.S. Senate passed a bill (S. 993) reauthorizing andexpandingthe Mentally Ill Offender and Treatment Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA).
S. 993expandsthe use of MIOTCRA funds to include the following:
- Veterans treatment courts;
- Training for law enforcement and correctional officers on how to respond to individuals experiencing psychiatric crises;
- Mental Health and substance abuse treatment and services for individuals who are incarcerated;
- Alternatives to solitary confinement;
- Mental health and substance use services for individuals reentering communities following incarceration to reduce recidivism; and
- Enhanced data collection and measurement of outcomes.
S. 993 also expands the definition of who may be served by this program to include individuals charged or convicted of felonies, with the exception of individuals charged or convicted of sex offenses, murder, or assault with intent to commit murder. Previously, MIOTCRA funds were restricted to “non-violent” offenders.
Sponsored by Senator Al Franken (D. MN), S. 993 enjoyed bipartisan support, with co-sponsors including Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R. Iowa) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D. Vermont).
A companion bill to S. 933, H.R. 1854, is pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Action Needed!
- Please write to your U.S. Senator andthank him or herfor passing S. 993.
- We need the House to pass the companion bill (H.R. 1854) to S. 933. Please write to your U.S. Representative tourge him or herto pass H.R. 1854.
Thank you for your advocacy!