Sponsors (24)
The bill aims to improve local crisis response and care for veterans through pilot teams, grants, and evaluation, but does so with time-limited funding, added local administrative burdens, and a risk that law-enforcement-centered responses could criminalize behavioral-health crises.
Veterans in crisis are connected with specialized, coordinated local veterans response teams that link them to VA services and courts, improving access to crisis care.
Local communities and first responders gain expanded 24/7 capacity to respond to veteran crises through grant-funded hiring, equipment, coordination, and volunteer responder systems, which can reduce emergency response times and increase local capability.
The program requires piloting and measurement of best practices, creating evidence to identify effective models that can be replicated nationwide to improve veteran outcomes.
The program is time-limited and depends on annual appropriations (FY2026–FY2030), so funding continuity is uncertain and successful pilots may lose federal support after five years.
Using law enforcement-based response teams for some behavioral health crises risks criminalizing mental health and substance-use issues rather than prioritizing treatment.
Local agencies and law enforcement may face added administrative burdens to apply for grants, coordinate with the VA, meet reporting requirements, and provide training.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a 5-year pilot grant program to fund veterans response teams in state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies, subject to FY2026–FY2030 appropriations.
Creates a five-year pilot grant program run by the Department of Justice’s COPS Office to fund the creation and operation of veterans response teams within state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies. Grants may pay for hiring, training, equipment, coordination with VA services, outreach, volunteer first-responder coordination, data collection, and ongoing veteran contacts; community partners can apply with agencies. The program is funded under part Q of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and is subject to appropriations for FY2026–FY2030. The Attorney General must provide a progress report to Congress on applicants, awards, and average award amounts; the pilot terminates five years after enactment.
Introduced May 8, 2025 by Dale Strong · Last progress May 8, 2025