Bill > HB1067

This bill revises the processes and requirements for establishing mental health courts in New Hampshire, creating a comprehensive framework for implementing and funding these specialized court programs. The legislation expands the purpose of mental health courts to include reducing incarceration costs by lowering recidivism and providing alternative interventions for individuals with mental illness. It allows superior and circuit courts to establish mental health courts that monitor offenders with mental illnesses and provide individualized behavioral intervention programs. The bill establishes a grant program managed by the Office of Statewide Treatment Courts (OSTC) that will enable counties, districts, and non-profits to apply for funding to create or enhance mental health court programs. To be eligible for grants, applicants must submit detailed applications including program descriptions, budgets, and implementation plans, and agree to comprehensive requirements such as conducting risk and clinical assessments for participants, maintaining a team-based approach, and collecting performance data. Successful program participants may have their criminal charges withheld or dismissed, and can petition for annulment of charges at least one year after completing the program. The bill includes provisions for developing guidelines, measuring outcomes, and creating an electronic information system to track program performance, with an implementation date of January 1, 2027, and potential statewide costs ranging from $2 million to $3.8 million annually.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1522&inflect=2