Smith and Fitzpatrick Introduce Legislation to Create and Expand Mobile Crisis Response Programs Across the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) introduced the 911 Community Crisis Responders Act, which would create a grant program for states, tribes, and localities to create and expand mobile crisis response programs, made up of specialized service providers, that serve as a first response to nonviolent emergency calls. These programs enable communities to enhance public safety, deliver better outcomes for community members, and reduce strain on the resources police departments expend on responding to these calls.
"We need to fundamentally reimagine what public safety looks like in our country. A critical step in this process is reexamining our approach to responding to 911 calls by providing specialized services to nonviolent calls rather than law enforcement," said Congressman Smith. "Funding from the federal government is critical and urgently needed to advance this public safety model across the country and more effectively address the nationwide mental and behavioral health, substance use, and homelessness crises we are seeing in our communities. The time has come to institute a holistic, equitable approach to public safety that centers on connecting individuals to resources and services they need. "
"As a former FBI agent and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Task Force, I’m working to modernize how we respond to crisis,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Not every 911 call requires a police response—some require a different kind of help. This bill expands access to trained crisis teams, reduces pressure on law enforcement, and gets people the care they need, when they need it. It’s a key part of my broader effort to deliver smart, bipartisan solutions that make our communities safer and our response systems stronger.”
Background
911 receives more than 240 million calls every year. The overwhelming majority of these calls involve nonviolent, non-criminal incidents such as neighbor disputes, nuisance complaints, and mental health crises. Both the police and policing reform advocates often assert that specialized service providers—such as social workers, paramedics, and peer support counselors—are better equipped to handle such situations than armed officers.
The bill text can be found here and further background can be found here.
Support for the Bill
"I am proud to endorse the 911 Community Crisis Responders Act, which establishes a vital grant program to support states, tribes, and localities in building and expanding mobile crisis response teams,” said Vonnie Mayer, Executive Director of Valley Com 911. “Every day, our 911 professionals serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing emergencies, including mental health and substance use crises. This legislation recognizes the evolving nature of emergency response and aligns with the growing consensus that public safety and public health must work hand in hand. By supporting this bill, Congress can help us deliver better outcomes for our communities, reduce the strain on law enforcement and EMS, and provide safer, more specialized care for those in crisis.”
“The 911 Community Crisis Responders Act would provide the vital funding needed to strengthen and scale programs like FD Cares nationwide,” said Brian Carson, Fire Chief of Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. “By supporting local agencies in hiring unarmed professional responders, upgrading 911 dispatch protocols, and coordinating with 988 mental health services, this legislation delivers a modern and compassionate approach to emergency response.”