[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 84 (Thursday, May 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 INTRODUCTION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS 
                          RESPONSE ACT OF 2023

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2023

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Police 
Week, along with our Oklahoma colleague, Congresswoman Stephanie Bice. 
I am honored to introduce the bipartisan Law Enforcement Training for 
Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2023.
  Congress must support and stand with the brave men and women in law 
enforcement who work every day to keep our communities safe.
  Our bipartisan bill provides greater Federal support grants to law 
enforcement departments at the state, local, territorial, and tribal 
level to obtain vital behavioral health crisis response training. More 
safely and effectively resolving behavioral health crisis situations 
can save lives.
  We all know that post pandemic, too many in our country have 
experienced mental health crises. Our law enforcement and corrections 
officers are often on the front lines, responding to crisis calls 
related to these situations. The opioid epidemic complicates this 
situation in far too many stances.
  As America's prisons and jails are filled with individuals with 
mental health challenges, Congress must do more to address mental 
health across the board. Our law enforcement officers need to be 
equipped with the proper tools, regimen, and training to adequately 
address mental health crises.
  I urge my colleagues to support this vital legislation to do just 
that.

                          ____________________