Posted: | February 2, 2015 03:20 PM |
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From: | Representative Patrick J. Harkins |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Criminal Justice and Mental Health Reinvestment Act |
In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that will create the Mental Health Advisory Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). My legislation mirrors Senate Bill 128 PN 1205 of last session which was sponsored by Senator Greenleaf. It’s purposes will be as follows:
Along with this mandate, my legislation will establish the Mental Health and Justice Grant Program to assist in planning, implementing, and expanding initiatives that increase public safety, avert increased spending, and improve the effectiveness of treatment services for the target population. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) estimates that twenty percent of state inmates suffer from mental illness. Furthermore, with the closing of traditional state hospitals, the criminal justice system has become the primary receiver of such individuals. Unfortunately, like nearly everything, application of funding for resources is key to addressing this problem, and I am certain you can agree this problem is a significant one. This advisory committee, with its power to award grants related to the issue, will represent a robust beginning. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation |
Introduced as HB1047