Senate Bill No. 374 mandates the expansion of the CRISIS Initiative pilot program, known as Connection to Recovery through Intervention, Support and Initiating Services, throughout the state by January 1, 2027. This expansion will be carried out by the Division of State Police in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). The bill does not introduce any new fiscal impacts on the state or municipalities, as funding for this expansion is already provided in the FY 26 and FY 27 Budget.

The CRISIS Initiative, which began in 2017, aims to improve the handling of incidents involving individuals with addiction disorders or mental health conditions by establishing procedures for referrals and support. Initially implemented in specific regions, the program has seen previous expansions, and this bill seeks to further enhance its reach statewide. Additionally, related legislation (sHB 5003) is also under consideration, which includes provisions for state police officer training and improved coordination with mental health professionals.