AL HB515

Expands the definition of "defendant" under mental illness commitment law to include individuals found incompetent to stand trial and not restorable to competency

Limits Department of Mental Health custody, care, and treatment to the maximum sentence the defendant could have received if convicted, or 20 years, whichever is less

Creates exceptions to the custody time limit for defendants charged with capital murder or those who continue to meet civil inpatient commitment criteria

Requires circuit judges to consider these time limit guidelines when issuing initial commitment orders

Effective date: October 1, 2026