Senate Releases FY27 CJS Appropriations Bill
On November 12, 2026, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill. The following highlights proposed funding levels for Department of Justice programs and agencies that provide substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health services, and reentry programming.
Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA)
The bill proposes $418 million in funding for the CARA, a $15 million increase over FY2026. CARA programs support treatment, prevention, and recovery initiatives by expanding access to medication for addiction treatment (MAT), overdose prevention services, prescription drug monitoring programs, and treatment programs within the criminal justice system.
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP)
The bill maintains funding for COSSUP at its current level of $185 million. Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, COSSUP provides competitive grants to state, local, and tribal governments to develop coordinated responses to substance use. These efforts include supporting drug courts, deflection programs, behavioral health services, and reentry supports for individuals with substance use disorders. COSSUP remains an important resource for addressing the harms associated with both opioid and stimulant use.
Drug Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts
The Senate bill maintains level funding of $89 million for drug courts and proposes a $4 million increase for Veterans Treatment Courts. These courts provide supervised treatment and recovery services as an alternative to incarceration for individuals with substance use or behavioral health disorders. Research has consistently shown that such court-based interventions reduce recidivism and improve long-term recovery outcomes, particularly when paired with wraparound support services.
Second Chance Act and Reentry Programs
The bill proposes a $5 million increase for the Second Chance Act grant program, bringing its total funding to $116 million. The program supports critical reentry services for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration, including housing, employment, education, and family reunification. Over the past decade, Second Chance Act initiatives have helped reduce the nationwide recidivism rate by 21 percent.
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) also received a proposed $5 million increase over FY2026, bringing its total funding to $40 million. JMHCP promotes collaboration between the criminal justice and mental health systems by supporting diversion programs, mental health courts, and crisis response initiatives. The program aims to reduce incarceration among individuals with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders while improving public health and safety outcomes.
See the press release for the bill here.
See the summary of the bill here.
See the text of the bill here.
See the explanatory statement of the bill here.
FY 2027 Grants Table of Priority DOJ Programs (including FY26 enacted)
Funding levels are shown in the millions
Programs | FY26 FINAL | FY27 President’s Budget Request | FY27 House CJS Mark | FY27 Senate CJS Mark | +/- FY26 |
Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) | $403m | $418m | $406m | $418m | +$15m |
Drug Court Program | $86m | $89m | $89m | $89m | Level Funding |
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners | $30m | $35m | $30m | $35m | +5m |
Veterans Treatment Courts | $30m | $30m | $32m | $34m | +4m |
Prescription Drug Monitoring | $35m | $35m | $35m | $35m | Level Funding |
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) | $185m | $189m | $185m | $185m | Level Funding |
Second Chance Act | $111m | $117m | $106m | $116m | +5m |
Second Chance Act Crisis Stabilization & Community Reentry Program | $10m | $10m | $10m | $10m | Level Funding |
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration (JMHCP) | $35m | $40m | $35m | $40m | +5m |
