Us Congress House Bill HB3621

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/29/25
• Refer: 5/29/25

Caption

Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act

Impact

The bill mandates that data collected from law enforcement interactions with individuals suffering from mental illnesses be utilized only for research and statistical purposes, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of those individuals involved. By making this data publicly available through an annual report to Congress, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices related to mental health. The long-term impact of this legislation may lead to informed strategies that improve law enforcement training and intervention approaches regarding mental health crises.

Summary

House Bill 3621, known as the Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act, seeks to address the interaction between law enforcement officers and individuals with mental illness by directing the Attorney General to acquire data on these interactions annually. The primary goal of this bill is to establish a structured framework for data collection that can inform future policy decisions and improve public safety. Moreover, this legislation emphasizes the need for collaboration between the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Health and Human Services in order to set appropriate guidelines for data acquisition and usage.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intent to improve data transparency and safety, points of contention may arise regarding the implementation of the data collection process. Stakeholders could debate the definitions of 'mental illness' as outlined in the bill, and the potential for misinterpretation or misuse of data. Additionally, the issue of funding for the acquisition of this data, as authorized in the bill, raises questions about budget allocations and priorities, especially considering the long-term commitment required for fiscal years 2026 through 2036.