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HB 573

Mississippi Helping Ensure Alternative Law Enforcement Transportation for Healing (MissHEALTH) Pilot Program; establish for mental health crisis.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Creekmore

Mississippi bill establishes MissHEALTH pilot program sending specialized mental health crisis teams instead of police to non-violent psychiatric emergencies.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 573

Legislative bill overview

HB 573 would establish the MissHEALTH pilot program, a mental health crisis response initiative that creates an alternative to traditional law enforcement for handling certain mental health emergencies. The program would deploy specialized teams to respond to non-violent mental health crises, diverting these calls away from police departments.

Why is this important

Mental health crises strain law enforcement resources and often result in poor outcomes for individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies. Alternative response models have shown promise in other states by reducing unnecessary arrests, improving crisis de-escalation, and connecting people with appropriate mental health services rather than the criminal justice system.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Establishing a new pilot program requires budget allocation; unclear whether funding would come from existing law enforcement budgets or require new appropriations, potentially creating competition for limited public health resources
  • Response scope and safety: Defining which calls qualify for the alternative team versus police response is complex; concerns about whether non-police responders can safely handle situations that may escalate or involve weapons
  • Implementation challenges: Questions about training standards, availability 24/7, coordination with existing emergency systems, and how the pilot would be evaluated for effectiveness before potential statewide expansion

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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