Florida Senate - 2016 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. SB 604
Ì542820yÎ542820
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
Comm: RCS .
11/17/2015 .
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The Committee on Judiciary (Diaz de la Portilla) recommended the
following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete lines 86 - 558
4 and insert:
5 394.47892 Mental health court programs.—
6 (1) Each county may fund a mental health court program
7 under which a defendant in the justice system assessed with a
8 mental illness shall be processed in such a manner as to
9 appropriately address the severity of the identified mental
10 illness through treatment services tailored to the individual
11 needs of the participant. The Legislature intends to encourage
12 the department, the Department of Corrections, the Department of
13 Juvenile Justice, the Department of Health, the Department of
14 Law Enforcement, the Department of Education, and other such
15 agencies, local governments, law enforcement agencies,
16 interested public or private entities, and individuals to
17 support the creation and establishment of problem-solving court
18 programs. Participation in a mental health court program does
19 not relieve a public or private agency of its responsibility for
20 a child or an adult, but enables such agency to better meet the
21 child’s or adult’s needs through shared responsibility and
22 resources.
23 (2) Mental health court programs may include pretrial
24 intervention programs as provided in ss. 948.08, 948.16, and
25 985.345, postadjudicatory mental health court programs as
26 provided in ss. 948.01 and 948.06, and review of the status of
27 compliance or noncompliance of sentenced defendants through a
28 mental health court program.
29 (3) Entry into a pretrial mental health court program is
30 voluntary.
31 (4)(a) Entry into a postadjudicatory mental health court
32 program as a condition of probation or community control
33 pursuant to s. 948.01 or s. 948.06 must be based upon the
34 sentencing court’s assessment of the defendant’s criminal
35 history, mental health screening outcome, amenability to the
36 services of the program, and total sentence points; the
37 recommendation of the state attorney and the victim, if any; and
38 the defendant’s agreement to enter the program.
39 (b) A defendant who is sentenced to a postadjudicatory
40 mental health court program and who, while a mental health court
41 program participant, is the subject of a violation of probation
42 or community control under s. 948.06 shall have the violation of
43 probation or community control heard by the judge presiding over
44 the postadjudicatory mental health court program. After a
45 hearing on or admission of the violation, the judge shall
46 dispose of any such violation as he or she deems appropriate if
47 the resulting sentence or conditions are lawful.
48 (5)(a) Contingent upon an annual appropriation by the
49 Legislature, the state courts system shall establish, at a
50 minimum, one coordinator position in each mental health court
51 program to coordinate the responsibilities of the participating
52 agencies and service providers. Each coordinator shall provide
53 direct support to the mental health court program by providing
54 coordination between the multidisciplinary team and the
55 judiciary, providing case management, monitoring compliance of
56 the participants in the mental health court program with court
57 requirements, and managing the collection of data for program
58 evaluation and accountability.
59 (b) Each mental health court program shall collect
60 sufficient client-level data and programmatic information for
61 purposes of program evaluation. Client-level data include
62 primary offenses that resulted in the mental health court
63 program referral or sentence, treatment compliance, completion
64 status and reasons for failure to complete, offenses committed
65 during treatment and the sanctions imposed, frequency of court
66 appearances, and units of service. Programmatic information
67 includes referral and screening procedures, eligibility
68 criteria, type and duration of treatment offered, and
69 residential treatment resources. The programmatic information
70 and aggregate data on the number of mental health court program
71 admissions and terminations by type of termination shall be
72 reported annually by each mental health court program to the
73 Office of the State Courts Administrator.
74 (6) If a county chooses to fund a mental health court
75 program, the county must secure funding from sources other than
76 the state for those costs not otherwise assumed by the state
77 pursuant to s. 29.004. However, this subsection does not
78 preclude counties from using funds for treatment and other
79 services provided through state executive branch agencies.
80 Counties may provide, by interlocal agreement, for the
81 collective funding of these programs.
82 (7) The chief judge of each judicial circuit may appoint an
83 advisory committee for the mental health court program. The
84 committee shall be composed of the chief judge, or his or her
85 designee, who shall serve as chair; the judge of the mental
86 health court program, if not otherwise designated by the chief
87 judge as his or her designee; the state attorney, or his or her
88 designee; the public defender, or his or her designee; the
89 mental health court program coordinators; community
90 representatives; treatment representatives; and any other
91 persons who the chair deems appropriate.
92 Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
93 910.035, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
94 910.035 Transfer from county for plea, sentence, or
95 participation in a problem-solving court.—
96 (5) TRANSFER FOR PARTICIPATION IN A PROBLEM-SOLVING COURT.—
97 (a) For purposes of this subsection, the term “problem
98 solving court” means a drug court pursuant to s. 948.01, s.
99 948.06, s. 948.08, s. 948.16, or s. 948.20; a military veterans’
100 and servicemembers’ court pursuant to s. 394.47891, s. 948.08,
101 s. 948.16, or s. 948.21; or a mental health court program
102 pursuant to s. 394.47892, s. 948.01, s. 948.06, s. 948.08, or s.
103 948.16; or a delinquency pretrial intervention court program
104 pursuant to s. 985.345.
105 Section 4. Subsection (5) of section 916.106, Florida
106 Statutes, is amended to read:
107 916.106 Definitions.—For the purposes of this chapter, the
108 term:
109 (5) “Court” means the circuit court and includes a county
110 court ordering the conditional release of a defendant as
111 provided in s. 916.17.
112 Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 916.17, Florida
113 Statutes, is amended to read:
114 916.17 Conditional release.—
115 (1) Except for an inmate currently serving a prison
116 sentence, the committing court may order a conditional release
117 of any defendant in lieu of an involuntary commitment to a
118 facility pursuant to s. 916.13 or s. 916.15 based upon an
119 approved plan for providing appropriate outpatient care and
120 treatment. A county court may order the conditional release of a
121 defendant for purposes of the provision of outpatient care and
122 treatment only. Upon a recommendation that outpatient treatment
123 of the defendant is appropriate, a written plan for outpatient
124 treatment, including recommendations from qualified
125 professionals, must be filed with the court, with copies to all
126 parties. Such a plan may also be submitted by the defendant and
127 filed with the court with copies to all parties. The plan shall
128 include:
129 (a) Special provisions for residential care or adequate
130 supervision of the defendant.
131 (b) Provisions for outpatient mental health services.
132 (c) If appropriate, recommendations for auxiliary services
133 such as vocational training, educational services, or special
134 medical care.
135
136 In its order of conditional release, the court shall specify the
137 conditions of release based upon the release plan and shall
138 direct the appropriate agencies or persons to submit periodic
139 reports to the court regarding the defendant’s compliance with
140 the conditions of the release and progress in treatment, with
141 copies to all parties.
142 Section 6. Section 916.185, Florida Statutes, is created to
143 read:
144 916.185 Forensic Hospital Diversion Pilot Program.—
145 (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The Legislature finds
146 that many jail inmates who have serious mental illnesses and who
147 are committed to state forensic mental health treatment
148 facilities for restoration of competency to proceed could be
149 served more effectively and at less cost in community-based
150 alternative programs. The Legislature further finds that many
151 people who have serious mental illnesses and who have been
152 discharged from state forensic mental health treatment
153 facilities could avoid returning to the criminal justice and
154 forensic mental health systems if they received specialized
155 treatment in the community. Therefore, it is the intent of the
156 Legislature to create the Forensic Hospital Diversion Pilot
157 Program to serve offenders who have mental illnesses or co
158 occurring mental illnesses and substance use disorders and who
159 are involved in or at risk of entering state forensic mental
160 health treatment facilities, prisons, jails, or state civil
161 mental health treatment facilities.
162 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
163 (a) “Best practices” means treatment services that
164 incorporate the most effective and acceptable interventions
165 available in the care and treatment of offenders who are
166 diagnosed as having mental illnesses or co-occurring mental
167 illnesses and substance use disorders.
168 (b) “Community forensic system” means the community mental
169 health and substance use forensic treatment system, including
170 the comprehensive set of services and supports provided to
171 offenders involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the
172 criminal justice system.
173 (c) “Evidence-based practices” means interventions and
174 strategies that, based on the best available empirical research,
175 demonstrate effective and efficient outcomes in the care and
176 treatment of offenders who are diagnosed as having mental
177 illnesses or co-occurring mental illnesses and substance use
178 disorders.
179 (3) CREATION.—There is created a Forensic Hospital
180 Diversion Pilot Program to provide competency-restoration and
181 community-reintegration services in either a locked residential
182 treatment facility when appropriate or a community-based
183 facility based on considerations of public safety, the needs of
184 the individual, and available resources.
185 (a) The department may implement a Forensic Hospital
186 Diversion Pilot Program modeled after the Miami-Dade Forensic
187 Alternative Center, taking into account local needs and
188 resources, in Escambia County, in conjunction with the First
189 Judicial Circuit in Escambia County; in Hillsborough County, in
190 conjunction with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough
191 County; and in Miami-Dade County, in conjunction with the
192 Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County.
193 (b) If the department elects to create and implement the
194 program, the department shall include a comprehensive continuum
195 of care and services that use evidence-based practices and best
196 practices to treat offenders who have mental health and co
197 occurring substance use disorders.
198 (c) The department and the corresponding judicial circuits
199 may implement this section if existing resources are available
200 to do so on a recurring basis. The department may request budget
201 amendments pursuant to chapter 216 to realign funds between
202 mental health services and community substance abuse and mental
203 health services in order to implement this pilot program.
204 (4) ELIGIBILITY.—Participation in the Forensic Hospital
205 Diversion Pilot Program is limited to offenders who:
206 (a) Are 18 years of age or older.
207 (b) Are charged with a felony of the second degree or a
208 felony of the third degree.
209 (c) Do not have a significant history of violent criminal
210 offenses.
211 (d) Are adjudicated incompetent to proceed to trial or not
212 guilty by reason of insanity pursuant to this part.
213 (e) Meet public safety and treatment criteria established
214 by the department for placement in a community setting.
215 (f) Otherwise would be admitted to a state mental health
216 treatment facility.
217 (5) TRAINING.—The Legislature encourages the Florida
218 Supreme Court, in consultation and cooperation with the Florida
219 Supreme Court Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health
220 Issues in the Courts, to develop educational training for judges
221 in the pilot program areas which focuses on the community
222 forensic system.
223 (6) RULEMAKING.—The department may adopt rules to
224 administer this section.
225 Section 7. Present subsections (6) through (13) of section
226 948.001, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (7)
227 through (14), respectively, and new subsection (6) is added to
228 that section, to read:
229 948.001 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
230 (6) “Mental health probation” means a form of specialized
231 supervision that emphasizes mental health treatment and working
232 with treatment providers to focus on the underlying mental
233 health disorders and compliance with a prescribed psychotropic
234 medication regimen in accordance with individualized treatment
235 plans. Mental health probation shall be supervised by officers
236 with restricted caseloads who are sensitized to the unique needs
237 of individuals with mental health disorders, and who will work
238 in tandem with community mental health case managers assigned to
239 the defendant. Caseloads of such officers should be restricted
240 to a maximum of 50 cases per officer in order to ensure an
241 adequate level of staffing and supervision.
242 Section 8. Subsection (8) is added to section 948.01,
243 Florida Statutes, to read:
244 948.01 When court may place defendant on probation or into
245 community control.—
246 (8)(a) Notwithstanding s. 921.0024 and effective for
247 offenses committed on or after July 1, 2016, the sentencing
248 court may place the defendant into a postadjudicatory mental
249 health court program if the offense is a nonviolent felony, the
250 defendant is amenable to mental health treatment, including
251 taking prescribed medications, and the defendant is otherwise
252 qualified under s. 394.47892(4). The satisfactory completion of
253 the program must be a condition of the defendant’s probation or
254 community control. As used in this subsection, the term
255 “nonviolent felony” means a third degree felony violation under
256 chapter 810 or any other felony offense that is not a forcible
257 felony as defined in s. 776.08. Defendants charged with
258 resisting an officer with violence under s. 843.01, battery on a
259 law enforcement officer under s. 784.07, or aggravated assault
260 may participate in the mental health court program if the court
261 so orders after the victim is given his or her right to provide
262 testimony or written statement to the court as provided in s.
263 921.143.
264 (b) The defendant must be fully advised of the purpose of
265 the mental health court program and the defendant must agree to
266 enter the program. The original sentencing court shall
267 relinquish jurisdiction of the defendant’s case to the
268 postadjudicatory mental health court program until the defendant
269 is no longer active in the program, the case is returned to the
270 sentencing court due to the defendant’s termination from the
271 program for failure to comply with the terms thereof, or the
272 defendant’s sentence is completed.
273 (c) The Department of Corrections may establish designated
274 and trained mental health probation officers to support
275 individuals under supervision of the mental health court
276 program.
277 Section 9. Paragraph (j) is added to subsection (2) of
278 section 948.06, Florida Statutes, to read:
279 948.06 Violation of probation or community control;
280 revocation; modification; continuance; failure to pay
281 restitution or cost of supervision.—
282 (2)
283 (j)1. Notwithstanding s. 921.0024 and effective for
284 offenses committed on or after July 1, 2016, the court may order
285 the offender to successfully complete a postadjudicatory mental
286 health court program under s. 394.47892 or a military veterans
287 and servicemembers court program under s. 394.47891 if:
288 a. The court finds or the offender admits that the offender
289 has violated his or her community control or probation;
290 b. The underlying offense is a nonviolent felony. As used
291 in this subsection, the term “nonviolent felony” means a third
292 degree felony violation under chapter 810 or any other felony
293 offense that is not a forcible felony as defined in s. 776.08.
294 Offenders charged with resisting an officer with violence under
295 s. 843.01, battery on a law enforcement officer under s. 784.07,
296 or aggravated assault may participate in the mental health court
297 program if the court so orders after the victim is given his or
298 her right to provide testimony or written statement to the court
299 as provided in s. 921.143;
300 c. The court determines that the offender is amenable to
301 the services of a postadjudicatory mental health court program,
302 including taking prescribed medications, or a military veterans
303 and servicemembers court program;
304 d. The court explains the purpose of the program to the
305 offender and the offender agrees to participate; and
306 e. The offender is otherwise qualified to participate in a
307 postadjudicatory mental health court program under s.
308 394.47892(4) or a military veterans and servicemembers court
309 program under s. 394.47891.
310 2. After the court orders the modification of community
311 control or probation, the original sentencing court shall
312 relinquish jurisdiction of the offender’s case to the
313 postadjudicatory mental health court program until the offender
314 is no longer active in the program, the case is returned to the
315 sentencing court due to the offender’s termination from the
316 program for failure to comply with the terms thereof, or the
317 offender’s sentence is completed.
318 Section 10. Present subsection (8) of section 948.08,
319 Florida Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (9), paragraph (a)
320 of subsection (7) is amended, and a new subsection (8) is added
321 to that section, to read:
322 948.08 Pretrial intervention program.—
323 (7)(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a
324 person who is charged with a felony, other than a felony listed
325 in s. 948.06(8)(c), and identified as a veteran, as defined in
326 s. 1.01, including a veteran who was discharged or released
327 under a general discharge, or servicemember, as defined in s.
328 250.01, who suffers from a military service-related mental
329 illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or
330 psychological problem, is eligible for voluntary admission into
331 a pretrial veterans’ treatment intervention program approved by
332 the chief judge of the circuit, upon motion of either party or
333 the court’s own motion, except:
334 1. If a defendant was previously offered admission to a
335 pretrial veterans’ treatment intervention program at any time
336 before trial and the defendant rejected that offer on the
337 record, the court may deny the defendant’s admission to such a
338 program.
339 2. If a defendant previously entered a court-ordered
340 veterans’ treatment program, the court may deny the defendant’s
341 admission into the pretrial veterans’ treatment program.
342 (8)(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a
343 defendant is eligible for voluntary admission into a pretrial
344 mental health court program established pursuant to s. 394.47892
345 and approved by the chief judge of the circuit for a period to
346 be determined by the court, based on the clinical needs of the
347 defendant, upon motion of either party or the court’s own motion
348 if:
349 1. The defendant is identified as having a mental illness;
350 2. The defendant has not been convicted of a felony; and
351 3. The defendant is charged with:
352 a. A nonviolent felony that includes a third degree felony
353 violation of chapter 810 or any other felony offense that is not
354 a forcible felony as defined in s. 776.08;
355 b. Resisting an officer with violence under s. 843.01, if
356 the law enforcement officer and state attorney consent to the
357 defendant’s participation;
358 c. Battery on a law enforcement officer under s. 784.07, if
359 the law enforcement officer and state attorney consent to the
360 defendant’s participation; or
361 d. Aggravated assault, if the victim and state attorney
362 consent to the defendant’s participation.
363 (b) At the end of the pretrial intervention period, the
364 court shall consider the recommendation of the program
365 administrator and the recommendation of the state attorney as to
366 disposition of the pending charges. The court shall determine,
367 by written finding, whether the defendant has successfully
368 completed the pretrial intervention program. If the court finds
369 that the defendant has not successfully completed the pretrial
370 intervention program, the court may order the person to continue
371 in education and treatment, which may include a mental health
372 program offered by a licensed service provider, as defined in s.
373 394.455, or order that the charges revert to normal channels for
374 prosecution. The court shall dismiss the charges upon a finding
375 that the defendant has successfully completed the pretrial
376 intervention program.
377 Section 11. Present subsections (3) and (4) of section
378 948.16, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (4) and
379 (5), respectively, paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and present
380 subsection (4) of that section are amended, and a new subsection
381 (3) is added to that section, to read:
382 948.16 Misdemeanor pretrial substance abuse education and
383 treatment intervention program; misdemeanor pretrial veterans’
384 treatment intervention program; misdemeanor pretrial mental
385 health court program.—
386 (2)(a) A veteran, as defined in s. 1.01, including a
387 veteran who was discharged or released under a general
388 discharge, or servicemember, as defined in s. 250.01, who
389 suffers from a military service-related mental illness,
390 traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or
391 psychological problem, and who is charged with a misdemeanor is
392 eligible for voluntary admission into a misdemeanor pretrial
393 veterans’ treatment intervention program approved by the chief
394 judge of the circuit, for a period based on the program’s
395 requirements and the treatment plan for the offender, upon
396 motion of either party or the court’s own motion. However, the
397 court may deny the defendant admission into a misdemeanor
398 pretrial veterans’ treatment intervention program if the
399 defendant has previously entered a court-ordered veterans’
400 treatment program.
401 (3) A defendant who is charged with a misdemeanor and
402 identified as having a mental illness is eligible for voluntary
403 admission into a misdemeanor pretrial mental health court
404 program established pursuant to s. 394.47892, approved by the
405 chief judge of the circuit, for a period to be determined by the
406 court, based on the clinical needs of the defendant, upon motion
407 of either party or the court’s own motion.
408 (5)(4) Any public or private entity providing a pretrial
409 substance abuse education and treatment program or mental health
410 court program under this section shall contract with the county
411 or appropriate governmental entity. The terms of the contract
412 shall include, but not be limited to, the requirements
413 established for private entities under s. 948.15(3). This
414 requirement does not apply to services provided by the
415 Department of Veterans’ Affairs or the United States Department
416 of Veterans Affairs.
417 Section 12. Section 948.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to
418 read:
419 948.21 Condition of probation or community control;
420 military servicemembers and veterans.—
421 (1) Effective for a probationer or community controllee
422 whose crime is was committed on or after July 1, 2012, and who
423 is a veteran, as defined in s. 1.01, or servicemember, as
424 defined in s. 250.01, who suffers from a military service
425 related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse
426 disorder, or psychological problem, the court may, in addition
427 to any other conditions imposed, impose a condition requiring
428 the probationer or community controllee to participate in a
429 treatment program capable of treating the probationer’s
430 probationer or community controllee’s mental illness, traumatic
431 brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or psychological
432 problem.
433 (2) Effective for a probationer or community controllee
434 whose crime is committed on or after July 1, 2016, and who is a
435 veteran, as defined in s. 1.01, including a veteran who was
436 discharged or released under a general discharge, or
437 servicemember, as defined in s. 250.01, who suffers from a
438 military service-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury,
439 substance abuse disorder, or psychological problem, the court
440 may, in addition to any other conditions imposed, impose a
441 condition requiring the probationer or community controllee to
442 participate in a treatment program capable of treating the
443 probationer’s or community controllee’s mental illness,
444 traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or
445 psychological problem.
446 (3) The court shall give preference to treatment programs
447 for which the probationer or community controllee is eligible
448 through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the
449 Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The Department of
450 Corrections is not required to spend state funds to implement
451 this section.
452 Section 13. Present subsection (4) of section 985.345,
453 Florida Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (7) and amended,
454 and new subsections (4), (5), and (6) are added to that section,
455 to read:
456 985.345 Delinquency pretrial intervention program.—
457 (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a child who
458 has been identified as having a mental illness and who has not
459 been previously adjudicated for a felony is eligible for
460 voluntary admission into a delinquency pretrial mental health
461 court program, established pursuant to s. 394.47892, approved by
462 the chief judge of the circuit, for a period to be determined by
463 the court, based on the clinical needs of the child, upon motion
464 of either party or the court’s own motion if the child is
465 charged with:
466 (a) A misdemeanor;
467 (b) A nonviolent felony; for purposes of this paragraph,
468 the term “nonviolent felony” means a third degree felony
469 violation of chapter 810 or any other felony offense that is not
470 a forcible felony as defined in s. 776.08;
471 (c) Resisting an officer with violence under s. 843.01, if
472 the law enforcement officer and state attorney consent to the
473 child’s participation;
474 (d) Battery on a law enforcement officer under s. 784.07,
475 if the law enforcement officer and state attorney consent to the
476 child’s participation; or
477 (e) Aggravated assault, if the victim and state attorney
478 consent to the child’s participation.
479 (5) At the end of the delinquency pretrial intervention
480 period, the court shall consider the recommendation of the state
481 attorney and the program administrator as to disposition of the
482 pending charges. The court shall determine, by written finding,
483 whether the child has successfully completed the delinquency
484 pretrial intervention program. If the court finds that the child
485 has not successfully completed the delinquency pretrial
486 intervention program, the court may order the child to continue
487 in an education, treatment, or monitoring program if resources
488 and funding are available or order that the charges revert to
489 normal channels for prosecution. The court may dismiss the
490 charges upon a finding that the child has successfully completed
491 the delinquency pretrial intervention program.
492 (6) A child whose charges are dismissed after successful
493 completion of the mental health court program, if otherwise
494 eligible, may have his or her arrest record and plea of nolo
495 contendere to the dismissed charges expunged under s. 943.0585.
496 (7)(4) Any entity, whether public or private, providing
497 pretrial substance abuse education, treatment intervention, drug
498 testing, or and a mental health court urine monitoring program
499 under this
500
501 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
502 And the title is amended as follows:
503 Delete lines 6 - 45
504 and insert:
505 F.S.; authorizing the funding for mental health court
506 programs; providing legislative intent; providing for
507 eligibility; providing program requirements; providing
508 requirements for mental health court programs and
509 counties that participate in the program; requiring
510 the state courts system to establish at least one
511 coordinator position in each mental health court
512 program, contingent upon an annual appropriation;
513 annually report to the Office of the State Courts
514 Administrator specified data, programmatic
515 information, and aggregate data; providing for an
516 advisory committee; amending s. 910.035, F.S.;
517 revising the definition of the term “problem-solving
518 court”; amending s. 916.106, F.S.; redefining the term
519 “court” to include county courts in certain
520 circumstances; amending s. 916.17, F.S.; authorizing a
521 county court to order the conditional release of a
522 defendant for the provision of outpatient care and
523 treatment; creating s. 916.185, F.S.; creating the
524 Forensic Hospital Diversion Pilot Program; providing
525 legislative findings and intent; providing
526 definitions; authorizing the Department of Children
527 and Families to implement a Forensic Hospital
528 Diversion Pilot Program in specified judicial
529 circuits; providing for funding; providing for
530 eligibility for the program; providing legislative
531 intent concerning training; authorizing rulemaking;
532 amending s. 948.001, F.S.; defining the term “mental
533 health probation”; amending ss. 948.01 and 948.06,
534 F.S.; authorizing courts to order certain offenders on
535 probation or community control to postadjudicatory
536 mental health court programs; amending s. 948.08,
537 F.S.; expanding eligibility requirements for certain
538 pretrial intervention programs; providing for
539 voluntary admission into a pretrial mental health
540 court program; amending s. 948.16, F.S.; expanding
541 eligibility of veterans for a misdemeanor pretrial
542 veterans’ treatment intervention program; providing
543 eligibility of misdemeanor defendants for a
544 misdemeanor pretrial mental health court program;
545 amending s. 948.21, F.S.; expanding veterans’
546 eligibility for participating in treatment programs
547 while on court-ordered probation or community control;
548 amending s. 985.345, F.S.; authorizing pretrial mental
549 health court programs for certain juvenile offenders;
550 providing for disposition of pending charges after
551 completion of the pretrial intervention program;
552 expanding the services for which an entity must enter
553 into a contract with specified governmental entities
554 if such entity provides such services; reenacting ss.
555 394.658(1)(a) and