DART Act Redirects Federal Justice Grants to Fund Drug Courts and Pre-Arrest Diversion Programs

The Diversion And Rehabilitation Transformation Act of 2025, or DART Act, is a major attempt to rewire how the federal government funds criminal justice in the states. It’s built on the idea that locking people up for addiction, mental health issues, or poverty isn't working—it’s expensive, it increases recidivism (people re-offending), and it doesn't solve the underlying problems.

This bill officially expands the use of the massive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds. Currently, JAG money goes toward a wide range of justice initiatives. Under the DART Act, states and local governments can now explicitly use that money for pre-arrest diversion programs (keeping people out of jail before they’re even charged), specialty courts (like drug or mental health courts), and post-release rehabilitation efforts. Essentially, it’s a policy pivot: less money for locking people up, more money for fixing the root causes of why they ended up in the system in the first place.

The New Playbook: Funding the Fix

For most people, the biggest impact of the DART Act won't be felt in federal court, but in their local police departments and county courthouses. The bill clarifies that JAG funds can now support diversion and rehabilitation at any phase of the criminal justice process (Sec. 4). This means that if a local police department wants to partner with a mental health provider to send a social worker instead of an officer on certain calls—a pre-arrest diversion—they can use federal grant money to pay for it.

This is huge for local budgets. Instead of counties footing the entire bill for expensive drug courts, the DART Act makes it clear that federal JAG money can now directly support those specialized programs, including restorative justice initiatives (Sec. 4). For a working parent struggling with addiction, this could mean the difference between losing their job and housing while sitting in jail, or entering a treatment program that allows them to keep working and supporting their family.

Building the Evidence Base

To make sure this money is actually spent on things that work, the DART Act creates the National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse (Sec. 5). Think of this as the central library and consulting firm for evidence-based justice reform. The Attorney General is tasked with setting this up to collect research, provide technical assistance, and create training materials on programs that have been scientifically proven to reduce recidivism.

Crucially, the Clearinghouse will focus on promoting trauma-informed practices and evidence-based practices (Sec. 5). The bill defines an evidence-based practice as one that has been tested using strong studies and shown to reduce time spent locked up. This is a vital guardrail: it means local programs can’t just slap the word 'diversion' on a failed program; they have to use methods that actually work. The funding for this Clearinghouse is authorized through fiscal year 2031, signaling a long-term commitment to data-driven reform.

Who Benefits and Where the Gaps Are

The primary beneficiaries are individuals struggling with addiction or mental health who interact with law enforcement. Instead of a cycle of arrest and release that makes finding a job or housing impossible, the DART Act opens the door to treatment and stability. Local governments also benefit from the budget relief and the potential for reduced crime rates.

However, the bill’s effectiveness hinges on a few things. First, while the bill promotes restorative justice, it doesn't offer specific details on how victims' rights and participation will be prioritized within these community resolution models. Second, the success of the new Clearinghouse depends on the funding it actually receives each year and how strictly the Attorney General enforces the definition of 'evidence-based practice.' If those definitions are too loose, local entities might continue funding unproven programs. Overall, the DART Act represents a major, federally backed shift toward rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of crime, offering a potential lifeline to individuals and a smarter approach for communities.