Bill would let police grants fund mental health crisis teams
In committeeH.R. 8886Latest action
Sponsor: Jason Crow · Representative · CO
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: SMART Community Policing Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
The SMART Community Policing Act would let existing federal COPS grants also fund mental health crisis response programs.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 8886 would expand the federal COPS grant program to allow funding for mobile crisis teams, co-responder programs pairing officers with mental health clinicians, and case management/outreach teams. It does not require any city to adopt these programs, but adds them as approved uses of existing grant money.
Who does it affect?
Local police departments and city/county governments that apply for COPS grants, mental health workers and paramedics hired under new programs, and residents experiencing mental health, homelessness, or substance use crises.
Why does it matter?
Communities would gain more flexibility in how they respond to crisis calls, potentially shifting some responses away from relying solely on armed officers, but adoption remains optional and depends on local grant applications.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 19, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · May 19, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.