Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2026

Summary of Bill S.4514 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

S.4514 seeks to address mental health needs among corrections personnel by providing financing to support mental health screening and referrals. The bill aims to fund mental health screening for certain corrections officers and to facilitate referrals to mental health care providers. The underlying goal is to identify and address mental health challenges among correctional staff, with an emphasis on improving officer well-being and safety within correctional facilities.

Key provisions and changes

• Funding authorization: The bill authorizes federal funding aimed at conducting mental health screenings for eligible corrections officers and at providing referrals to mental health care providers. This funding is intended to be distributed among federal facilities (Bureau of Prisons) and could extend to applicable State and local agencies as appropriate for the targeted corrections workforce.
• Mental health screenings: Establishes or supports standardized screening processes to assess the mental health status of participating corrections officers. Screenings would be designed to identify conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other relevant mental health concerns.
• Referrals to care: Creates pathways for referrals to mental health professionals or services when screenings indicate need. This includes coordinating access to care, potentially reducing barriers to treatment for corrections personnel.
• Scope of beneficiaries: Primarily focuses on corrections officers and personnel within federal facilities, with potential applicability or distribution mechanisms extended to States and localities that operate correctional systems, through the Bureau of Prisons or related federal funding programs.
• Administration and implementation: Likely includes administrative provisions to distribute funds, oversee screening programs, and monitor compliance, though specific procedural details (e.g., grant criteria, reporting requirements) would be finalized in committee or subsequent amendments.

Who would be affected

• Corrections officers and staff: Primary beneficiaries of screenings and referrals.
• Bureau of Prisons and federal facilities: Receives funding to implement screening and referral programs.
• State and local correctional agencies (to the extent eligible): May receive funds or guidance to implement compatible screening and referral activities.
• Mental health providers: Potentially expanded patient access through referral networks established by the program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

• Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary on May 13, 2026.
• Sponsor: Co-sponsored by Senator Tammy Duckworth.
• Next steps: The committee would review, hold hearings if applicable, and may draft amendments before reporting the bill to the Senate floor. If approved, it would proceed through the standard legislative process (floor consideration, potential reconciliation with House measures, and eventual signing or veto).

Additional notes

• The summary reflects the bill’s stated focus on funding for mental health screenings and referrals for corrections personnel, with attention to the mental health well-being of those working in corrections and the potential benefits for facility safety and staff retention.
• Specific allocation amounts, eligibility criteria, implementation timelines, and reporting requirements are not detailed in the provided information and would be defined in the bill text or subsequent amendments.