The DART Act of 2025 aims to reduce crime and recidivism by expanding funding for diversion and rehabilitation programs at the state and local levels, and establishing a national clearinghouse for evidence-based practices.
Wesley Bell
Representative
MO-1
The DART Act of 2025 aims to reduce crime and recidivism by expanding the use of diversion and rehabilitation programs at the state and local levels through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. This act broadens the scope of the grant program to include pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release rehabilitation programs. It also establishes a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse to share evidence-based practices and provide technical assistance to state and local governments, and non-profits. The act prioritizes programs that address the root causes of crime, promote trauma-informed practices, and incorporate mental health services, peer support, and restorative justice.
DART Act Proposes Expanding Federal Grants for Diversion Programs, Establishes National Rehab Resource Center
The Diversion And Rehabilitation Transformation Act of 2025, or DART Act, aims to reshape how state and local governments handle criminal justice issues by expanding federal funding options. It specifically modifies the existing Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, allowing funds previously focused on law enforcement and corrections to also support diversion and rehabilitation initiatives. The goal, as outlined in the bill's findings (Sec 2), is to tackle root causes of crime like addiction, mental health challenges, and poverty, reducing reliance on traditional incarceration which often fails to prevent repeat offenses.
More Tools in the Toolkit: Expanding Justice Grants
So, what changes on the ground? Section 4 broadens the official uses for Byrne JAG funds. This means state and local agencies could apply for federal money to implement programs before an arrest happens, establish or enhance specialty courts (like drug, veteran, or mental health courts), support restorative justice programs involving victims and communities, and fund rehabilitation efforts for individuals after release. A "diversion and rehabilitation program" is defined (Sec 5) as one shifting individuals away from standard criminal processing towards alternatives designed to reduce long-term system involvement. For example, a city might use these funds to embed mental health professionals with police responders, or a county could expand its post-release job training and housing support services.
Sharing What Works: The National Clearinghouse
To ensure these programs are effective, Section 5 authorizes the creation of a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse. Think of it as a central hub managed by the Attorney General's office. Its job is to gather research on successful programs, develop training materials, and offer technical help to states, localities, and non-profits implementing these strategies. The Clearinghouse will specifically promote "evidence-based" and "trauma-informed" practices. "Evidence-based" means programs backed by solid research showing they work (Sec 5), while "trauma-informed" means approaches that recognize and address the impact of past trauma (Sec 5). While aiming for proven methods is key, ensuring consistent standards for what counts as "evidence-based" will be important for accountability.
What This Means on the Ground
The overall push of the DART Act is towards a more comprehensive approach to public safety. By funding alternatives to incarceration that address underlying issues, the legislation seeks to lower crime and recidivism rates (Sec 3). It supports connecting individuals who encounter the justice system with services like mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, peer support, and life-skills training. The inclusion of restorative justice also offers pathways for repairing harm within communities. The success of this shift hinges on effective implementation and ensuring that the funded programs deliver measurable results in diverting people from the system and supporting their rehabilitation.