Date: September 30, 2008
From: Marilyn Richmond, J.D., Assistant Executive Director for Government Relations
Re: MIOTCRA Passes Congress
Great news! The Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) has passed both chambers of Congress and will soon head to the President’s desk. The legislation (S. 2304) passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Friday, September 26, and the House by voice vote yesterday.
MIOTCRA, introduced by Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), would reauthorize an important grant program that was created in 2004 (PL 108-414) to improve inmates’ mental health treatment. It would reauthorize the program from fiscal year 2009 through 2013 at $50 million per year. The bill would also authorize new grants to train law enforcement personnel to respond to incidents involving mentally ill individuals and require the Justice Department to report on the rate of serious mental illness among those in custody or on parole.
Passage of S. 2304 is no small feat, as Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) had placed a hold on the bill earlier this year, arguing that the legislation would duplicate other sources of funding for mentally ill prisoners. Thanks to the advocacy of psychologists, our coalition partners and our allies on the Hill, the hold was lifted and the bill passed both chambers, strengthening this vital program that addresses the needs of those with mental illness in the Justice system.
Jeff Cook
Director, Field and State Operations
APA Practice Organization
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5875 (Office)
(202) 336-5797 (Fax)
jcook@apa.org (Email)