HB 2603 Summary

• Authorizes counties to establish pretrial diversion programs as alternatives to prosecution for low-level offenders, with successful completion resulting in charge dismissal.

• Requires participants to remain in programs for 3-6 months (extendable with county attorney approval) and mandates use of evidence-based education and treatment targeting recidivism factors.

• Establishes comprehensive contractor requirements including risk-need-responsivity assessments, individualized case management, substance abuse testing protocols, financial assessments based on federal poverty guidelines, and detailed reporting to county attorneys.

• Specifies fee collection procedures requiring contractors to use sliding scales, accept multiple payment forms, and transmit collected fees and restitution to county attorneys by the tenth of each month.

• Appropriates unspecified general fund monies to counties establishing programs in fiscal year 2021-2022.