Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Jun 25, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 1313
Became law: Jun 25, 2022
Jun 25, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 1313
Became law: Jun 25, 2022
Full breakdown available
This pages provides a high-level overview of this law. For full list of provisions, line-item appropriations, and specific funding allocations, please view our detailed breakdown.
Summary
Provides money for mental health services and school safety, and makes background checks for young gun buyers stronger.
What problem does this solve?
Recent tragic shootings have shown a need for better ways to stop gun violence and help people with mental health issues. This law gives money to states for mental health care and school safety, and it makes the background check process for gun buyers under 21 more thorough.
What does this law do?
Strengthens background checks for gun buyers under 21
Requires the national background check system (NICS) to check state juvenile justice and mental health records for gun buyers under 21. Allows up to 10 business days to complete this check.
Closes the 'boyfriend loophole'
Prevents individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against a dating partner from purchasing a firearm. It allows for firearm rights to be restored after five years for first-time offenders.
Creates new federal crimes for gun trafficking
Makes it a specific federal crime to buy a gun for someone who is not allowed to own one (straw purchasing) or to illegally traffic firearms. Sets penalties of up to 15-25 years in prison.
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Use of Byrne grants for implementation of State crisis intervention programs
Funds state crisis intervention programs
Provides $750 million for states to create and manage programs that help remove guns from people who are a danger to themselves or others, such as 'red flag' laws.
Provides major funding for school mental health services
Appropriates $1 billion for grants that increase the number of mental health professionals in schools and help connect students with care.
Funds school safety and violence prevention
Allocates over $1 billion for school districts to improve security, provide student and staff training, and implement violence prevention programs.
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Expansion of community mental health services demonstration program
Expands community mental health services
Grows a national demonstration program that helps community mental health centers provide a wider range of services to people on Medicaid.
Supports telehealth access for children
Directs the government to issue guidance and provide help to states on how to use Medicaid and CHIP to improve access to health services through telehealth.
Clarifies who must be a licensed gun dealer
Changes the definition of a gun dealer to someone who sells firearms 'to predominantly earn a profit,' which may require more private sellers to get a federal license and conduct background checks.
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Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices
Creates a federal school safety clearinghouse
Establishes a central resource, called the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices, to share best practices and recommendations for improving school safety.
Who does this affect?
- Young adults (under 21) seeking to purchase firearms
- Individuals with a history of domestic violence in a dating relationship
- K-12 schools, students, and staff
What is the real world impact?
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Improves access to mental health care
Provides significant funding for community mental health centers, school-based mental health programs, and telehealth services to make it easier for children and families to get help.
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Enhances school safety measures
Funds school security improvements and establishes a federal clearinghouse to share best practices for keeping schools safe, aiming to prevent violence before it happens.
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Represents a bipartisan compromise on guns
Acts as a rare agreement between both political parties on the issue of gun safety, aiming to show that progress is possible without enacting broader, more controversial gun control measures.
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Seen by some as an infringement on gun rights
Critics argue that enhanced background checks for young adults and funding for state crisis intervention (red flag) laws could unfairly prevent law-abiding citizens from owning firearms.
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Criticized for not going far enough
Some gun control advocates believe the law is too modest because it does not include universal background checks, a ban on certain types of firearms, or limits on magazine capacity.
When does this start?
This law went into effect on June 25, 2022, but it sets several different deadlines for government agencies to complete specific tasks.
Guidance on School-Based Health Services
By June 2023, the government must issue guidance to help schools deliver and get paid for health services provided to students on Medicaid and CHIP.
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Guidance to States on furnishing services through telehealth under Medicaid and CHIP
Guidance on Telehealth
By December 2023, the government must provide guidance to states on how to improve access to telehealth services under Medicaid and CHIP.
Review of Children's Health Services
By June 2024, the government must review how states are providing required health screening and treatment services to children on Medicaid.
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Sunset of requirements to contact State and local entities
Sunset of Enhanced Background Check Requirements
On September 30, 2032, the requirement for the national background check system to contact state and local agencies for juvenile records of buyers under 21 will expire.