SB 1231 - Defendant Competency to Stand Trial Summary

• Establishes procedures for examining defendant competency, with examinations completed within 15 business days by psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, or psychiatric nurse specialists.

• Increases maximum placement period for competency restoration treatment from 18 months to 24 months, or the maximum sentence, whichever is less.

• Requires courts to order civil commitment proceedings for defendants found unlikely to regain competency, with placement in treatment facilities monitored by the Court Support Services Division.

• Excludes certain serious crimes from early release provisions, including Class A felonies, most Class B felonies, certain violent crimes, and crimes resulting in death or serious physical injury.

• Mandates victim notification through automated system when defendants are released from mental health or developmental services custody before prosecution statute of limitations expires, effective October 1, 2023.