HR 2668119th CongressIn Committee

DART Act of 2025

Introduced: Apr 7, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The DART Act of 2025 aims to reform how federal crime-prevention funds are used by expanding the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to explicitly support pre-arrest diversion, diversion and rehabilitation efforts, specialty courts, and post-release rehabilitation. The bill emphasizes addressing root causes of crime—such as drug addiction, mental health disorders, and poverty—through evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches. It would also create a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse led by the Attorney General to centralize research, provide technical assistance, and promote best practices for implementing diversion and rehabilitation programs. Funding would be authorized for 2026 through 2031 to support these activities. In short, the bill shifts some federal dollars toward programs designed to divert people away from the justice system and toward treatment, support services, and restorative justice, with an eye toward reducing crime and recidivism while limiting collateral consequences of incarceration.

Key Points

1Expands JAG program uses to include diversion and rehabilitation at all stages of the criminal justice process (including pre-arrest and pre-trial) and adds specialty courts and restorative justice programs.
2Establishes a national Clearinghouse (run by the Attorney General) to gather and share evidence-based practices, provide technical assistance, develop training, and promote trauma-informed and restorative approaches for diversion and rehabilitation.
3Sets forth purposes aimed at reducing crime and recidivism, improving equity in the justice system, minimizing collateral consequences, and prioritizing mental health services, peer support, and restorative justice.
4Defines the scope of “diversion and rehabilitation programs” and clarifies what counts as trauma-informed and evidence-based practices, with emphasis on scalability and fidelity to proven methods.
5Authorizes appropriations for 2026–2031 to carry out the Clearinghouse activities and expansion of diversion and rehabilitation efforts.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: State and local governments, law enforcement, prosecutors, and court systems that administer JAG-funded programs; individuals at risk of incarceration or currently under diversion programs; mental health and substance-use treatment providers.Secondary group/area affected: Crime victims and affected communities (through restorative justice and improved public safety); researchers and practitioners focused on trauma-informed and evidence-based practices.Additional impacts: Potential shifts in how federal funds are prioritized and evaluated; increased emphasis on data collection, program fidelity, and cross-agency collaboration to implement diversion and rehabilitation strategies successfully.The bill positions diversion and rehabilitation as central to modernizing the criminal justice system, aiming to reduce incarceration-related harms and promote long-term public safety.It uses terminology such as “trauma-informed” and “restorative justice,” signaling an emphasis on understanding trauma and incorporating victim involvement and community-based resolutions into programs.

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