What does SHORT TITLE. of Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025.

What does GRANT PROGRAM. of Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General to assist States and local governments in implementing mental health screenings for corrections officers. Eligible entities seeking grants must submit an application detailing a project plan and assurance of hiring a mental health liaison. Grant funds can be used to develop and administer brief mental health screening surveys, develop necessary technology, hire staff, and establish outreach teams. The screening survey must consist of 5-10 questions, be based on existing standards, and aim to identify severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The survey must be anonymous and confidential, administered by trained staff, and collect information about symptoms, medication use, and residence. Outreach teams, composed of mental health professionals, detention center staff, and a liaison, are responsible for referring officers exhibiting signs of severe mental illness to mental health care providers.

What does BUREAU OF PRISONS. of Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to establish a program for mental health surveys of corrections officers. The program must develop and administer surveys as described in section 2, subsection (d). The Director must also establish and maintain an outreach team to refer corrections officers to mental health care providers. The Director is required to submit a plan for implementing the program to the Advisory Board.

What does ADVISORY BOARD ON PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION. of Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes an Advisory Board on Program Implementation within the Department of Justice. The Board's responsibilities include evaluating and approving state and local plans for grant funding under section 2. It will also monitor the Bureau of Prisons' compliance with section 3 and provide technical assistance to states and localities. A working group will be created to share best practices for mental health screening and referral programs. The Board will coordinate with mental health outreach teams and determine if grant programs are meeting requirements, potentially reducing funding if necessary. The Board will develop a self-reporting process for mental health assistance, protecting anonymity and privacy. The Attorney General will appoint members with expertise in mental health screenings, mental health care within correctional facilities, and program evaluation. The number of members appointed to the Advisory Board is at the Attorney General’s discretion.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “State” includes U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and several territories. “Locality” refers to general purpose political subdivisions of a State. A “mental health care provider” is a licensed professional diagnosing and treating mental health conditions near jails or prisons. “Mental health care center” is a facility offering mental health services, such as a hospital or clinic. “Jail or prison administrator” is an individual appointed to a supervisory position in an incarceration facility. “Law enforcement official” is an officer preventing and detecting crime. “Corrections officer” provides custody for incarcerated individuals in detention facilities. An “eligible detention center” is a prison or jail administered by the Bureau of Prisons or a State or locality. “Severe mental illness” is defined as a disorder causing significant functional impairment.

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Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025

Q: What does Preamble of Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 do?

This bill aims to provide funding to the Bureau of Prisons, States, and localities. The funding is intended to support mental health screenings for certain corrections officers. The bill also seeks to facilitate referrals to mental health care providers for these officers.

Q: What does FUNDING. of Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 do?

This section authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General to carry out the Act. A total of $300,000,000 is authorized over five fiscal years: $50,000,000 for 2026, $55,000,000 for 2027, $60,000,000 for 2028, $65,000,000 for 2029, and $70,000,000 for 2030. Ninety percent of the funds are designated for a grant program outlined in sections 2 and 3. Within the 90% allocation, 20% is for the Bureau of Prisons, 20% for State grants, and 50% for local government grants. Five percent of the funds are allocated to the Advisory Board for evaluation activities under section 4(a). Another five percent is allocated to the Advisory Board for activities under section 4(b).

Last updated: 3/24/2025 · Introduced: 3/24/2025

Author: Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a grant program to help states and local governments implement mental health screenings for corrections officers, requiring grantees to hire a mental health liaison and develop anonymous surveys.
The Bureau of Prisons is mandated to create a similar mental health survey program for its officers, including establishing outreach teams to connect them with mental health care.
The legislation authorizes $300 million over five years to fund these screening and referral programs, allocating the majority to state and local governments while also supporting an advisory board to oversee implementation.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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