District of ColumbiaPR26-0108Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Sense of the Council on Supporting Humane and Trauma-Informed Responses to Behavioral Health Crises Resolution of 2025

Sponsored By: Christina Henderson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster crisis hotlines and warm handoffs

The law sets a hotline goal: by 2027, 988 and the DBH Access Helpline answer at least 90% of OUC‑transferred calls within 15 to 20 seconds. DBH and 988 must give strong initial and ongoing training to call takers. DBH and the Mayor set clear performance goals and fund staffing to meet the target. When you are referred to outpatient care, hotline staff stay on the line until you reach someone who can schedule an intake. If they cannot stay, they must follow up within 48 hours to confirm you got an appointment.

More trained police for mental health calls

The law directs MPD to expand the co‑response model and increase Crisis Intervention Officers. The goal is to have trained responders handle mental health crises more often.

Better 911 and behavioral health coordination

OUC updates IT and credentialing so more DBH staff can access OUC systems. Credentialed DBH staff keep a continuous presence in the CAD system to view, monitor, and close events and help dispatch CRT. OUC and DBH check DBH daily login activity. OUC shares DBH response data with MPD and Fire and EMS, and DBH, MPD, and Fire and EMS give monthly plan updates and report ad hoc changes right away. OUC and DBH set regular communication standards, run scenario‑based training with real calls, and update PowerPhone prompts so call takers know when to divert to DBH or community resources.

Stronger mobile crisis teams and beds

OUC, DBH, CRT, and ChAMPS plan to move more 911 calls to 988, the Access Helpline, CRT, and ChAMPS, and DBH staffs CRT to handle them. DBH staffs and equips CRT and ChAMPS with vehicles, deployment sites, and up‑to‑date tech. Teams can serve people who do not speak English and people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. As capacity grows, the Mayor and DBH run a public campaign about 988, the Helpline, ChAMPS, and CRT. The law asks the Mayor to include FY2027 budget investments to add crisis beds (1–2 weeks), observation beds (24–72 hours, voluntary), and respite centers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Christina Henderson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 12/16/2025

Final Reading, CC