Mental Health Court Legislation sent to Governor

     Senator Millner is Chief Sponsor of Senate Bill 677, which creates the Mental Health Court Treatment Act. The bill allows judges to establish a mental health court program and assign to it offenders who meet specific criteria.

     “A lot of work and serious thought has been put into this concept, with the goal of creating a path for those that suffer from mental illness to both pay their debt to society and receive the treatment they need,” Millner said. “I know from my background in law enforcement that this approach can go a long way in reducing recidivism and ensuring vulnerable people do not fall through the cracks.”

     Under the bill, defendants must meet a four-step test before they can be admitted into a mental health court program. Those steps are (1) a screening and assessment; (2) the agreement of the prosecutor, defendant and the court; (3) ensuring that the crime committed was non-violent, and (4) ensuring that the defendant has not been convicted of a violent crime in the last 10 years or been in a mental health program in the prior three years.

     “This program allows mentally ill defendants a chance to get the treatment they need, but does not let people off the hook because they have to either show progress or face severe penalties, including possible jail-time,” Millner said.

     Additionally, Senator Millner would like to thank Representatives Susana Mendoza and Patricia Lindner for their hard work on the legislation.

     The bill passed the Senate unanimously Thursday June, 14 and will now be sent to the Governor for his consideration.

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