S. 1194, the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by unanimous vote on Wednesday, October 6.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security recently marked-up the bill, reducing the authorization level in the Senate version from $100 million to $50 million. Due to the differences in authorization levels, S. 1194 will be sent back to the Senate, which originally passed it with unanimous consent in October 2003, for a vote on the version passed by the House. Supporters of the bill are confident that the Senate
will vote to approve the House version, and send it to the President for his signature.

Click here for a copy of the House version of S. 1194, which includes the ammended authorization level.

The bill authorizes federal grants for collaborative efforts between criminal justice and mental health agencies at the state and local level to improve the response to people with mental illness in the criminal justice system. A broad range of initiatives would be eligible for funding, including improved training for law enforcement, diversion programs, mental health courts, and enhanced transition planning for offenders upon reentry.