Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a statewide mental health diversion program to keep individuals out of the criminal justice system.

Highlights:

• Specifies that an eligible offense shall not include a crime of the first degree (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that an eligible person is considered to be a person who allegedly committed a presumptively ineligible offense but is approved for participation by the prosecutor (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this program is available where there is a nexus between the commission of the alleged offense and the eligible person’s mental disorder (Sec. 1). 

• Defines “Presumptively Eligible Offense” (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes the statewide Mental Health Diversion Program (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes regions for the program and which determines which counties belong to which regions (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes that the attorney general has broad power over the program and can maintain the various vicinages that qualify for the program (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that programs that participate in the Mental Health Diversion Program shall be eligible for new funding (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes the duties of the program leader (Sec. 3). 

• Requires mandatory updates for the judge in each individual case to measure progress, problems, and goals for the eligible person (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that the program will assist program participants with getting benefits (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that eligible persons for the Mental Health Diversion program can make a request to have their records of arrest and charge expunged based on success of the program (Sec. 5). 

• Establishes the “Mental Health Diversion Program Support Fund” (Sec. 14).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a statewide mental health diversion program to keep individuals out of the criminal justice system.

Highlights:

• Specifies that an eligible offense shall not include a crime of the first degree (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that an eligible person is considered to be a person who allegedly committed a presumptively ineligible offense but is approved for participation by the prosecutor (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this program is available where there is a nexus between the commission of the alleged offense and the eligible person’s mental disorder (Sec. 1). 

• Defines “Presumptively Eligible Offense” (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes the statewide Mental Health Diversion Program (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes regions for the program and which determines which counties belong to which regions (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes that the attorney general has broad power over the program and can maintain the various vicinages that qualify for the program (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that programs that participate in the Mental Health Diversion Program shall be eligible for new funding (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes the duties of the program leader (Sec. 3). 

• Requires mandatory updates for the judge in each individual case to measure progress, problems, and goals for the eligible person (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that the program will assist program participants with getting benefits (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that eligible persons for the Mental Health Diversion program can make a request to have their records of arrest and charge expunged based on success of the program (Sec. 5). 

• Establishes the “Mental Health Diversion Program Support Fund” (Sec. 14).

Full Bill Text