April 7, 2025
Mr. Bell (for himself, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Figures, Mrs. McIver, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Ivey, Ms. Norton, Ms. Ansari, Ms. Crockett, and Ms. Wilson of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to support State and local efforts to reduce crime and recidivism through the expansion and enhancement of pre-incarceration diversion and rehabilitation programs, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Diversion And Rehabilitation Transformation Act of 2025
or the DART Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1)
Drug addiction, mental health disorders, and systemic poverty are significant contributing factors to crime rates across the United States.
(2)
Traditional criminal justice approaches, particularly incarceration, often fail to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior and can result in negative collateral consequences for individuals, families, and communities, including—
(A)
loss of employment and housing;
(B)
disruption of family relationships;
(C)
increased risk of future criminal behavior; and
(D)
strain on State and local resources.
(3)
Pre-incarceration diversion and rehabilitation programs offer a cost-effective and evidence-based alternative to incarceration by connecting individuals with appropriate treatment, life-skills training, support services, and increasing connectivity to behavioral health services, thereby addressing the root causes of crime and promoting long-term public safety.
(4)
Many States and local jurisdictions, including St. Louis County, Missouri, have successfully implemented diversion and rehabilitation programs, demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing recidivism and improving community outcomes.
(5)
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) is a critical source of Federal funding for State and local criminal justice initiatives.
(6)
Expanding the allowable uses of JAG funds to specifically include pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release rehabilitation will enhance the effectiveness of the JAG program and promote a more comprehensive approach to criminal justice reform.
(7)
The implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed practices within diversion and rehabilitation programs is essential for ensuring positive outcomes and reducing recidivism rates.
Sec. 3. Purposes
The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1)
To reduce crime and recidivism rates nationwide by supporting the expansion and enhancement of pre-arrest diversion, court-based intervention, and post-release rehabilitation at the State and local levels.
(2)
To promote a more effective and equitable criminal justice system that addresses the underlying causes of crime and provides opportunities for individuals to turn their lives around.
(3)
To minimize the negative collateral consequences associated with incarceration and the criminal justice process.
(4)
To encourage the adoption of evidence-based and trauma-informed practices in diversion and rehabilitation programs.
(5)
To leverage the existing infrastructure of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to efficiently and effectively support diversion and rehabilitation efforts.
(6)
To prioritize funding for programs that incorporate mental health services, peer support, and restorative justice practices.
Sec. 4. Expansion of program purpose areas under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program
Section 501(a)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10152(a)(1)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (H)—
(A)
by striking and corrections programs
and inserting , corrections, and diversion and rehabilitation programs
; and
(B)
by inserting before the period at the end the following: implemented at any phase of the criminal justice process (including pre-arrest and pre-trial)
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(I)
Specialty courts and judicial intervention programs, including restorative justice programs focusing on victim-involvement or community-based resolutions.
Sec. 5. National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse
(a) Establishment
The Attorney General is authorized to establish a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse to centralize information on evidence-based practices related to diversion and rehabilitation programs.
(b) Functions
The Clearinghouse established under subsection (a) is authorized to—
(1)
collect and disseminate research on effective diversion and rehabilitation programs;
(2)
provide technical assistance to States, local governments, and non-profits related to implementing a diversion and rehabilitation program;
(3)
conduct research and develop training materials on diversion and rehabilitation programs;
(4)
identify and promote best practices for trauma-informed and restorative justice approaches to implementing a diversion and rehabilitation program; and
(5)
provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program under subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq.) that are using such funds for a diversion and rehabilitation program.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term diversion and rehabilitation program means a program that—
(A)
places individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system into alternative processes outside the standard scope of criminal justice processing; and
(B)
reduces an individual’s involvement in the criminal justice system in both the short and long term.
(2)
The term trauma-informed practice means, with respect to criminal justice and rehabilitation, an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and seeks to create safe, supportive, and empowering environments that promote healing and reduce re-traumatization.
(3)
The term evidence-based practice means a program or practice that—
(A)
is demonstrated to be effective when implemented with fidelity;
(B)
is based on a clearly articulated and empirically supported theory;
(C)
has measurable outcomes relevant to reducing incarceration; and
(D)
has been scientifically tested and proven effective through randomized control studies or comparison group studies and with the ability to replicate and scale.