HJR70 Summary

• Legislature signs on to the Stepping Up Initiative's Call to Action to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in county jails and hospitals.

• Acknowledges that approximately 2 million people with serious mental illnesses are jailed annually, with jailed individuals 3-6 times more likely to have serious mental illnesses than the general population.

• Notes that nearly 75% of jailed adults with serious mental illnesses also have substance-use disorders and that county jails spend 2-3 times more on adults with mental illnesses than those without treatment needs.

• Commits to sharing lessons learned around the state and encourages all county officials, employees, and residents to participate in Stepping Up through partnerships with the Alabama Department of Mental Health, National Association of Counties, Council of State Governments Justice Center, and American Psychiatric Association Foundation.