DeLauro Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today commended House passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation to reduce gun violence and better community safety. The legislation now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.
"Congress took a needed step to reduce gun violence and better safety in our communities. said Chair DeLauro. "I have wanted to enact legislation that goes further to protect our communities like enacting enhanced background checks, banning assault rifles, and passing safe firearm storage legislation like Ethan's Law, however, mass shootings have become far too familiar in the United States. As I have said before, I will not sit idly by and let the death of children become commonplace. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is needed. It is historic, lifesaving, and long overdue legislation. The American people overwhelmingly support the reforms included in this legislation, and with its passage, we will finally do our part as lawmakers to make our communities safer and protect the lives of our children, parents, brothers, and sisters."
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes:
- Support for Mental Health Services in Schools
The legislation includes a $500 million investment for DeLauro's School Based Mental Health Services Grant program. Established in fiscal year 2020 in DeLauro's first year as Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, the School Based Mental Health Services Grants program helps school districts increase the number of qualified, well-trained mental health professionals working in schools.
- Supports for State Crisis Intervention Orders
Creates a new $750 million funding source available to states to create and administer laws that have sufficient due process protections that help ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals whom a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves
or others, and other similar purposes such as mental health courts, drug courts, and veterans'
courts.
- Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Closes the "boyfriend loophole" and adds convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Creates a process for removal from NICS five years after the completion of the sentence, only if there are no intervening prohibited crimes or other crimes of violence.
- Clarification of Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer
Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifies which sellers
need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records.
- Enhanced Review Processes for Gun Buyers under 21
For buyers under 21 years of age, requires more thorough background checks including contacts with state databases and local law enforcement, and allows NICS additional time to investigate potentially disqualifying records if needed.
Provides additional funding to NICS to administer the new process and grants to help states
upgrade criminal and mental health records for the NICS.
- Penalties for Straw Purchasing
Creates federal straw purchasing and trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to
target dangerous illegal gunrunners.
- Violence Interruption Funding
Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence and prevention initiatives.
- Investment in Children and Family Mental Health Services
Supports national expansion of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Center model; improves access to mental health services for children, youth, and families through the Medicaid program and CHIP; increases access to mental health services for youth and families in crisis via telehealth; and provides major investments at the Department of Health and Human Services to programs that expand provider training in mental health, support suicide prevention, crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.