HB348 - Alabama Drug Offender Accountability Act

• Authorizes presiding judges of each judicial circuit to establish drug courts with district attorney consent to address substance abuse among drug offenders through treatment, support services, and drug testing.

• Requires drug courts to incorporate ten key components including integration of treatment services with justice system case processing, non-adversarial approach, frequent drug testing, ongoing judicial interaction, and monitoring of program effectiveness.

• Mandates screening and assessment of drug offenders using criteria certified by the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse Services Division, with referrals to certified treatment programs.

• Establishes the Administrative Office of Courts to assist in planning, implementation, and development of drug courts statewide and provide annual reports to the Alabama Supreme Court, Legislature, and Governor regarding program effectiveness and costs.

• Prohibits participation by those with pending or prior violent felony charges, sex offense charges, or drug distribution/manufacturing charges; also excludes commercial driver's license holders.