CS/CS/HB 317 - Mental Health Treatment Summary

• Authorizes forensic and civil facilities to continue psychotherapeutic medications for individuals who were receiving them in jail before admission, with facility physician orders valid for up to 90 days pending court approval within 5 days.

• Establishes 30-day timeframe for holding competency hearings after court receives notification that a defendant has regained competency or no longer meets commitment criteria.

• Changes charge dismissal timelines for incompetent defendants: 3 years for most charges, 5 years for serious violent felonies including murder, sexual battery, robbery, and kidnapping, unless court specifies reasons for believing competency will be regained.

• Requires commitment hearings within 30 days after court notification that a defendant adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity no longer meets criteria for continued commitment.

• Standardizes juvenile competency evaluation reports to require specific protocols, diagnostic criteria per DSM standards, assessment of treatment duration, and detailed findings regarding capacity to understand charges and participate in proceedings.

• Effective date: July 1, 2013.