FL H0117

Authorizes the chief judge of each judicial circuit to establish a Military Veterans and Servicemembers Court Program for veterans and servicemembers convicted of criminal offenses who suffer from military service-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse disorder.

Entry into the program requires assessment of the defendant's criminal history, military service, substance abuse and mental health treatment needs, program amenability, state attorney and victim recommendations, and defendant agreement.

Allows courts to impose treatment program participation as a probation or community control condition for servicemembers and veterans whose crimes were committed on or after July 1, 2012, with the same qualifying conditions.

Requires courts to give preference to treatment programs available through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Specifies the Department of Corrections is not required to spend state funds to implement these provisions; effective date is July 1, 2012.