HB 7288 Summary

• Prohibits courts from ordering alcohol or drug testing for defendants in pretrial diversionary programs (accelerated rehabilitation, supervised diversionary, or school violence prevention) who are charged with non-substance-abuse offenses like DUI, sexual assault, or non-alcohol/drug-related motor vehicle violations.

• Prevents courts from transferring defendants charged with these same non-substance-abuse offenses to criminal dockets for drug-dependent persons.

• Applies restrictions across three pretrial programs: the accelerated rehabilitation program (section 54-56e), the supervised diversionary program for persons with psychiatric disabilities or veterans (section 54-56l), and the school violence prevention program for secondary school students (section 54-56j).

• Takes effect October 1, 2017 for all three amended sections.

• Stated purpose is to prevent the criminal justice system from expanding its reach beyond the specific charges for which persons were arrested.