Title 42 › Chapter 6A— PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › Subchapter III–A— SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION › Part B— Centers and Programs › Subpart 3— center for mental health services › § 290bb–38
The Secretary must give grants to States, local governments, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations (Native American tribes and tribal groups, as defined in another federal law), public or nonprofit groups, and certain Indian Health Service programs to create and run programs that steer people with mental illness away from jail and into community care. The Secretary must work with the Attorney General, write rules and rules for measuring success, and require applicants to promise that community services will be available and based on proven practices (for example: case management, medication care, combined mental health and substance use treatment, peer support, psychiatric rehabilitation, and links to housing, jobs, education, and health care). Applications must show coordination between criminal justice and health systems, explain why federal money is needed, describe how the program will fit into existing care, say how it will continue after federal funds end, and give methods for evaluating results. Projects that help veterans get special consideration. Grant money can be used to connect the diversion program to existing care, expand community mental health and co‑occurring treatment, train staff and justice personnel, do outreach and crisis work, and develop ways to divert people before arrest or booking. The federal share may pay up to 75% of program costs and must fund new expenses; matching funds can be cash or in‑kind and the Secretary can waive the match. Grants must be fairly spread across regions and between urban and rural areas. The Secretary may provide training and technical help. Each funded program must be evaluated at least once every 12 months. Congress authorized $14,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
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The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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42 U.S.C. § 290bb–38
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60