Bill > S0604

This bill aims to enhance mental health services within the criminal justice system by defining "court" and "criminal county court" for involuntary outpatient placement proceedings, expanding eligibility for military veteran and servicemember court programs to include those with a general discharge, and establishing a new Forensic Hospital Diversion Pilot Program. This pilot program will focus on offenders with mental illnesses or co-occurring disorders who are involved with or at risk of entering state forensic mental health facilities, prisons, or jails, offering community-based competency restoration and reintegration services. Additionally, the bill allows courts to order defendants on probation or community control to participate in post-adjudicatory mental health court programs, which are designed to address mental illnesses through tailored treatment services, and also expands the availability of pretrial mental health court programs for both adults and juveniles charged with certain offenses.