IL SR1824

Urges federal, state, and county legislators to enact policies enhancing access to mental health services throughout the criminal justice system to improve outcomes for individuals and reduce recidivism.

Calls on law enforcement to integrate mental health treatment and crisis intervention teams into criminal justice operations to address mental health crises and reduce arrest rates.

Requests states and the federal government suspend rather than terminate Medicaid coverage for incarcerated individuals to prevent 2-3 month delays in accessing health care benefits upon release.

Encourages consideration of diversion programs and mental health courts to direct seriously mentally ill offenders to community-based treatment programs instead of incarceration.

Notes that over half of incarcerated individuals have mental health issues and that prison populations are disproportionately comprised of African-American and Latino persons.