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Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-03-26

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $474,680 in state funding over two fiscal years to Mecklenburg County municipalities (Matthews, Pineville, and Mint Hill) to establish a pilot program that pairs mental health professionals with police officers to respond to mental health-related emergencies and crisis calls.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that co-responder programs improve outcomes for people experiencing mental health crises by having trained mental health professionals present during emergency calls, which can reduce unnecessary arrests, hospitalizations, and use of force.
• •They contend that pairing mental health experts with police allows officers to focus on public safety while mental health professionals address underlying issues, potentially saving money long-term through diversion from the criminal justice system.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that the pilot funding is limited and temporary (only two years), which may not provide sufficient time to evaluate program effectiveness or sustain services long-term.
• •Some question whether co-responder models adequately separate police from mental health responses, and worry that police presence during mental health calls could still escalate situations or that funding mental health services through law enforcement partnerships diverts resources from standalone mental health crisis programs.