Bill > HB1113

This bill, known as the Public SAFE-T (Supporting Accountability and Fast, Effective Treatment) Act, establishes a new legal process for dismissing certain misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges. Under the new law, courts of limited jurisdiction may allow defendants to have their charges dismissed if they agree to comply with court-ordered conditions for a period of 6-12 months. The court will consider the defendant's specific circumstances, such as underlying behavioral health disorders or lack of housing or employment, when determining appropriate conditions. These conditions may include participation in recovery navigator programs, diversion programs, or other supportive services. If the defendant substantially complies with the conditions, including making full restitution and avoiding new criminal violations, the charges will be dismissed. However, the bill explicitly excludes a wide range of specific offenses from this dismissal process, including domestic violence offenses, traffic-related crimes, sexual offenses, and several other serious misdemeanors. The bill also ensures that victims have an opportunity to provide a statement before charges are dismissed and protects the defendant by preventing their treatment-related admissions from being used in the prosecution's case. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to clarify that entry into this new judicially authorized dismissal process does not count as a conviction for certain legal purposes.