Mental health support for law enforcement officers.
Summary
HB1199 requires local law enforcement agencies in counties, cities, towns, and townships to contract with a mental health professional to support crisis intervention teams or provide rapid-response assistance during mental health or substance use disorder emergencies. The bill defines a mental health professional as a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, and requires that the professional have training in substance use and mental health treatment. For appointment to an existing crisis intervention team, the professional must also have expertise in trauma-informed care, de-escalation, or crisis communication.
When an emergency dispatch involves a mental health or substance use crisis, the mental health professional must, when practicable, accompany officers to the scene or be separately dispatched. Their role is limited to providing onsite guidance, treatment, referrals, and other necessary assistance; the bill expressly states that they do not exercise police powers. The bill also adds a liability protection provision stating that officers may not be held liable for damages, including punitive damages, for acts or omissions related to the mental health professional’s contribution to a crisis intervention team response, and extends that protection to others who would be liable only through an agency relationship with the officer.
Impact
The bill would amend Indiana law by creating a new chapter in the local government code governing crisis intervention teams and mental health professionals, and by adding related definitions and a liability shield in the tort claims chapter. It would impose a new operational requirement on political subdivisions that operate law enforcement agencies: they must contract with qualified mental health professionals for crisis response support. The measure would affect local governments, law enforcement agencies, and mental health providers, while also limiting potential civil liability tied to crisis intervention team activities.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the bill appears to be framed as a public safety and behavioral health support measure, with an emphasis on helping officers respond more effectively to mental health and substance use crises. There is no recorded committee testimony or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal opposition or support is documented here. The overall tone of the legislation is collaborative and protective, aiming to add clinical expertise to law enforcement responses while reducing legal exposure for officers.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are the mandate placed on local political subdivisions to contract for mental health professionals, which could raise cost, staffing, and implementation concerns for local governments. Another possible issue is the liability provision, which broadens protections for officers and related entities and may draw scrutiny from those concerned about accountability in crisis responses. The bill also carefully limits the role of mental health professionals by stating they do not have police powers, which may reflect an effort to address concerns about scope of authority and professional boundaries.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.
Occupations: individual licensing and registration; licensure of professional guardians and conservators; require. Amends sec. 303a of 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.303a) & adds art. 14A.