HB614 Summary

• Requires every judicial circuit in Alabama to establish a drug court program, changing from optional authorization to mandatory implementation with presiding judge and district attorney oversight.

• Mandates each judicial circuit establish at least one community punishment and corrections program by January 1, 2020, with the presiding judge selecting a county for implementation if none exists.

• Requires each judicial circuit to establish a mental health court program in at least one county to serve offenders whose mental health issues significantly contributed to their offense.

• Excludes persons with pending or prior violent criminal charges, firearm/weapon-related felonies, or sex offense charges from mental health court eligibility.

• Provides funding for initial implementation through available Department of Corrections appropriations, effective January 1, 2020 for the community and mental health court requirements.