Mississippi Could Expand Mental Health Training for Officers

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi could expand training for law enforcement officers to respond to people who need mental health care, under a bill that's moving toward consideration in the state House.

House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Nick Bain, a Republican from Corinth, on Tuesday said House Bill 1222 could be life-changing legislation.

Republican Rep. Sam Creekmore of New Albany said the bill would require all city and county law enforcement agencies to provide first aid mental health training for their officers. It also would require each of those agencies to have at least one officer with more extensive training for crisis intervention.