Bill > HB227

This bill establishes provisions for mental health courts in Missouri, expanding the existing framework of treatment courts to include a specific mental health court option. The bill defines key terms, including "mental health court" as a court focused on addressing mental health disorders or co-occurring disorders for defendants charged with criminal offenses. It allows circuit courts to establish mental health courts as an alternative judicial approach for handling cases involving individuals with mental health challenges. The legislation broadens the existing treatment court system, which previously included courts for adult treatment, DWI, family treatment, juvenile treatment, and veterans treatment, by explicitly adding mental health courts as a recognized treatment court division. The bill emphasizes a collaborative, non-adversarial approach that combines judicial supervision with treatment services, potentially allowing for dismissal, reduction, or modification of charges upon successful program completion. This approach aims to provide a more compassionate and rehabilitative approach to handling criminal cases involving individuals with mental health disorders, recognizing that such disorders can significantly impact an individual's cognitive and emotional functioning and potentially contribute to criminal behavior.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB227&year=2025&code=R