West Hudson Valley News

Investments Will Support Funding for Police Departments, Fire & EMS Agencies, Expand Mental Health & Addiction Treatment 

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today announced his public safety budget priorities for the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill.

Each year, the House Appropriations Committee crafts legislation that determines funding levels for federal agencies and programs. In the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill, Rep. Molinaro called on the House Appropriations Committee to provide federal funding to police departments, fire departments, EMS agencies, and programs that deliver mental health and substance use treatment services.

Rep. Molinaro said, “We must invest in our police departments, ensure EMS agencies and fire departments can recruit and retain workers, and put a greater emphasis on mental health and addiction treatment. I’m fighting for these funding priorities because they will make a difference to improve public safety and get those struggling with mental health and substance use disorders the support they need.”

Specifically, Rep. Molinaro asked the House Appropriations Committee to prioritize federal funding for the following:

• The COPS Program, which helps local police departments hire and train police offices, and deploy community policing strategies.
• Programs that help volunteer fire departments recruit and train firefighters.  
• Programs that fund equipment and training for rural EMS agencies.
• Federal drug courts to integrate substance abuse treatment and sanctions in a judicially supervised court setting.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grants to improve access to comprehensive mental health and substance use services to vulnerable individuals.

Original source can be found here.