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Bill

S 4575

SMART Community Policing Act

119th Congress Introduced by Michael Bennet

Expands COPS funding to create mobile crisis, co-responder, and case management teams to de-escalate crises, connect individuals to mental health services, and reduce emergency enc

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4575

Overview

  • Bill: S. 4575 (SMART Community Policing Act)
  • Session: 119th Congress
  • Introduced: May 19, 2026 by Sen. Michael Bennet (co-sponsor)
  • Purpose: Amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to fund and expand innovative community policing models, with a focus on mental health care, crisis intervention, and enhanced community safety.

Main purpose and intent

  • Strengthen and expand community policing programs to:
    • De-escalate law enforcement interactions with individuals in crisis or trauma related to mental health, poverty, homelessness, and substance use disorders.
    • Build collaborations to connect people with mental health services and community resources.
    • Improve outcomes for both communities and officers by ensuring individuals receive appropriate treatment and support.

Key provisions and changes

Expanded authorized uses of COPS funds (amendment to 34 U.S.C. 10381(b))

The bill adds new uses for COPS funding to create and scale up mobile and co-responder mental health initiatives, including:

  • (26) Mobile Crisis Team Program

    • Hire skilled mental health professionals and paramedics to:
    • Respond to select 911 calls at police request and to direct community requests for help.
    • Stabilize encounters between police and individuals in mental/behavioral health crises.
    • Secure mental health services for individuals in crisis who may need further evaluation and treatment.
    • Train law enforcement officers partnering with mental health professionals and paramedics.
    • Use a mobile unit to coordinate responses to mental/behavioral health crises.
    • Hire additional personnel as needed.

  • (27) Co-Responder Program

    • Pair a trained law enforcement officer with a behavioral health clinician or paramedic to:
    • De-escalate mental health crises.
    • Connect individuals with appropriate services.
    • Provide effective, efficient responses to people with mental illness.
    • Hire additional personnel, including officers and case managers, as needed.

  • (28) Case Management and Outreach Team

    • Post-crisis follow-up to connect individuals with mental health services and community resources.
    • Help individuals adhere to treatment plans and meet obligations (e.g., work, school, training).
    • Develop tailored solutions and support resources for individuals who frequently use emergency services to reduce repeat crisis-driven interactions.
    • May be established as part of a mobile crisis team (26), a co-responder team (27), or an independent team.

Alignment with program goals (Section 2)

  • Reiterates the purpose: de-escalation, improved access to mental health services, stronger partnerships with community resources, and improved outcomes for both communities and responders.

Who/what is affected

  • Funding recipients: law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, paramedics, and related personnel authorized to participate in:
    • Mobile crisis teams
    • Co-responder programs
    • Case management and outreach teams
  • Target populations: individuals experiencing mental health crises or behavioral health issues, as well as communities facing poverty, homelessness, and substance use challenges.
  • Oversight: federal funding mechanisms under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (COPS program) would be used to implement and expand these initiatives.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status: Introduced in Senate on May 19, 2026; referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Action timeline: As of the bill’s introduction, it would proceed through committee consideration, potential markup, and floor votes in Congress before any appropriation or implementation steps at the federal level.
  • No specific appropriations amounts or timelines are provided in the text excerpt; the bill targets expansion of COPS funding to authorized mobile crisis, co-responder, and case management programs.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public safety and public health: Aims to reduce use-of-force incidents and improve crisis outcomes by linking people to timely mental health services.
  • Resource implications: Requires funding for hiring mental health professionals, paramedics, and support staff; deployment of mobile units; and associated training.
  • Collaboration emphasis: Encourages stronger partnerships between law enforcement, health care providers, and community service networks.
  • Data and evaluation: While not specified in the text, successful deployment would likely require performance metrics to assess de-escalation outcomes, service linkage rates, and reductions in emergency service use.

This summary captures the bill’s core objectives, the new program authorities it seeks to authorize, the populations targeted, and the basic procedural path it would follow in Congress.

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

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