Federal grants would support unarmed teams for nonviolent 911 calls

Federal health officials could award grants for unarmed crisis response programs. States, territories, local governments, Tribal governments, and groups of Tribal governments could apply. Covered calls must concern listed needs, such as mental health, homelessness, or addiction, and involve no obvious violent behavior. Programs receiving money would have to follow the bill’s protections against discrimination.

Funded programs would send trained professionals who do not carry firearms. Teams would need to assess crises, calm situations, arrange referrals, and provide transportation to immediately needed treatment. Programs would have to explain which calls they handle and operate without state, Tribal, or local police oversight. Programs unable to send timely teams of at least two could still receive smaller grants.

Grant recipients would report on their crisis response programs. Reports would cover calls handled, people served, response times, costs, and effects on hospital care and police involvement. Reports would include sensitive personal categories, such as race, disability, and housing status. Federal health officials would also send Congress a summary of recipients’ reports.