Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025

This bill would set up a federal grant program to help police and corrections officers get better training to respond to mental health and substance use crises, with the goal of keeping everyone safer. Lawmakers note that about 1 in 10 police calls involve mental illness, about 1 in 4 people killed by police have a mental health problem, and about 1 in 3 psychiatric ER transports are done by police. Calls tied to substance use have also grown. The idea is to give officers evidence-based training so crises can be handled more safely for the public and for officers.

Key points

• Who is affected: State, local, and Tribal law enforcement and corrections agencies; officers; people experiencing mental or substance use crises.
• What changes: The Attorney General could award grants to cover training costs and officers’ travel and lodging for approved programs. The Justice Department would set standards for which training providers qualify. Agencies must apply and share details like their chosen program, total officers, any recent injuries or deaths during crisis responses, and whether they already provide such training.
• Money guardrails: Funds must add to, not replace, local dollars; no more than 3% can go to admin costs; recipients must file yearly reports (including how many officers were trained) and keep records for audits.
• Funding level and timing: Each fiscal year, up to $10 million could be set aside from existing funds to run this grant program, if money is available.