Bill > A1453

This bill establishes the "Mental Health Court Pilot Program" in several regions of New Jersey. The program aims to divert certain nonviolent mentally ill or mentally disabled offenders away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate treatment. The program would be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts and would hear cases involving defendants charged with nonviolent petty disorderly persons or disorderly persons offenses who suffer from mental illness or disability. The bill outlines the process for transferring eligible cases to the Mental Health Court, including the requirement for defendants to enter a short-term care facility for screening and treatment, and the consequences for non-compliance. The Supreme Court of New Jersey is authorized to adopt rules to effectuate the purposes of the bill, which is to take effect immediately.

Health and Social Services