FL H0937

Changes requirement for chief judges to establish Military Veterans and Servicemembers Court Programs in each judicial circuit from mandatory ("shall") to discretionary ("may")

Allows veterans and servicemembers charged or convicted of criminal offenses who suffer from military-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or psychological problems to participate in specialized court programs with individualized sentencing

Program eligibility requires court assessment of defendant's criminal history, military service, substance abuse and mental health treatment needs, program amenability, state attorney recommendation, victim input, and defendant's agreement to participate

Requires chief judges to consider nationally recognized best practices when adopting policies and procedures for the program

Act takes effect July 1, 2019