CA AB2611

Authorizes California superior courts to develop and implement voluntary veterans treatment courts for eligible veterans with mental health conditions, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, or substance abuse issues stemming from military service.

Establishes objectives for veterans treatment courts including reducing recidivism, improving access to services, placing mentally ill veteran offenders in community treatment when feasible, and connecting veterans with counseling, employment, housing, and financial assistance.

Requires veterans treatment courts to incorporate trauma recovery-focused rehabilitation services with judicial supervision, team-based decision-making, and peer mentoring, with recommended participation by prosecutors, public defenders, mental health liaisons, probation officers, and VA representatives.

Directs that veterans participating in treatment courts or eligible for diversion be referred to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain federal benefits to the maximum extent possible.

Authorizes superior courts to apply for federal grants to establish new veterans treatment courts and encourages courts to maintain statistics on program success rates for use by the Legislature and Judicial Council.