CO Blake Schwarz Act of 2026 (S. 4514)

Summary

Creates a grant program to fund mental health screenings for corrections officers and refer them to care providers if they show signs of mental illness.

What problem does this solve?

Corrections officers often face high-stress situations that can lead to mental health issues, but may not have easy access to confidential help. This bill gives money to prisons and jails to offer anonymous mental health checks and connect officers with professional help without risking their jobs.

What does this bill do?

Establishes a mental health grant program

Creates a grant program for states and local governments to set up and run mental health screening programs for corrections officers in their prisons and jails.

Creates a program for federal corrections officers

Requires the federal Bureau of Prisons to develop its own program to give mental health surveys to its corrections officers and refer them for care when needed.

Protects officers from negative job outcomes

Ensures that a corrections officer seeking or receiving treatment for a mental health issue will not face negative job actions, like a fitness for duty evaluation, as a result.

Creates an advisory board

Forms an advisory board to manage the grant program, approve plans from states and localities, and provide help to ensure the programs are effective.

Authorizes funding for five years

Approves funding starting at $50 million for fiscal year 2026 and increasing to $70 million for fiscal year 2030 to pay for the programs.

Requires anonymous and confidential screenings

Mandates that all mental health screening surveys given to corrections officers must be anonymous and confidential to protect their privacy.

Requires creation of outreach teams

Requires states and localities that get grants to form mental health outreach teams to connect officers who need help with local mental health care providers.

Who does this affect?

Corrections officers
State and local governments
Bureau of Prisons

What is the real world impact?

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Provides mental health support to corrections officers

Offers confidential mental health screenings and referrals to corrections officers, a high-stress profession, to help prevent suicide and improve well-being.

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Addresses fears of job loss for seeking help

Includes a 'safe harbor' rule to protect officers from being fired or disciplined for seeking mental health care. However, some officers may still fear that using these services could negatively affect their careers, potentially limiting the program's use.

When does this start?

This bill sets several deadlines for action shortly after it becomes law.

Advisory Board Establishment

The Attorney General must create the Advisory Board within 60 days of the bill becoming law.

Grant Program Establishment

The Attorney General must establish the grant program for states and localities within 90 days of the bill becoming law.

Bureau of Prisons Program

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons must set up a mental health screening program for federal officers within 90 days of the bill becoming law.