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119-hr-4878119th CongressWALLET

MOSSA Act

Sponsored By: Representative Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

Introduced

Summary

Expand federal power for civil commitment and tie homelessness funding to enforcement and treatment. The MOSSA Act would push federal agencies to prioritize civil commitment, require tougher local rules against camping and open drug use, and redirect grants toward treatment-oriented programs instead of harm-reduction sites.

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  • People experiencing homelessness: The bill would push for more civil commitment and assisted outpatient treatment for people judged to be a danger or unable to care for themselves. It would also steer grants to cities that remove encampments and enforce bans on urban camping, loitering, and open drug use.
  • Families and children: Housing rules would be tightened to reduce placement of sex offenders near unrelated children and to allow exclusive housing for women and children. Recipients of HUD homelessness aid would face stronger conditions to increase participation in substance use and mental health treatment.
  • Local governments and service providers: The Attorney General and HHS would get new roles to reverse court limits on commitment, prioritize drug and mental health courts, and shift federal funding away from some harm-reduction or safe consumption programs toward evidence-based treatment and recovery.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Housing plan before release from custody

If enacted, prisons and reentry centers would have to create housing release plans for people leaving custody. Facilities would, when possible, require people to follow those plans.

Federal push to clear unsafe encampments

If enacted, the Attorney General could use emergency law enforcement funds to help remove unsafe encampments. The AG would look for ways, where allowed, to avoid releasing detainees with serious mental illness due to a lack of forensic beds. Homeless people arrested for federal crimes would be evaluated for sexual dangerousness and possible civil commitment. The AG, with HHS, would seek legal steps to change court orders that the bill says block civil commitment.

More support for drug and mental courts

If enacted, the Attorney General would direct available funds to expand drug courts and mental health courts. Diversion would be used when it serves public safety.

More treatment-focused mental health funding

If enacted, HHS would steer health center and clinic funds to reduce homelessness with full services and crisis care. SAMHSA grants would fund evidence-based treatment, not programs the bill says enable drug use. HHS would give assisted outpatient treatment programs help to move people off the streets and into private housing, where allowed by law.

Tighter rules for HUD homelessness programs

If enacted, HUD-funded programs could collect some health info to connect people to care and, where allowed, share with law enforcement. Programs could require more participation in substance use or mental health treatment to receive services. They could set housing only for women and children and keep sex offenders away from unrelated kids. The Attorney General would review programs that allow illicit drug use and could bring cases. HUD could freeze aid to programs that run safe consumption sites or allow drug activity.

Grant priority for enforcement-focused cities

If enacted, federal agencies would look to give grant priority to places that enforce bans on open drug use, street camping, loitering, and squatting. Jurisdictions that use assisted outpatient treatment or civil commitment could also get priority. Places that fully track homeless sex offenders could receive priority too, where allowed by law.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

GA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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