CS/HB 293 Summary

• Amends section 394.658 to exempt fiscally constrained counties from local matching fund requirements when establishing law enforcement behavioral health intervention units or misdemeanor mental health diversion programs.

• Creates the Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Intervention Unit Pilot Program in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties for 3 years, requiring sheriff's offices to establish units with specially trained deputies to divert individuals with mental health or substance use disorders into community-based treatment instead of the criminal justice system.

• Creates the Misdemeanor Mental Health Diversion Pilot Program in the same four counties for 3 years to evaluate misdemeanor defendants within 24 hours of booking for mental health disorders and connect them to crisis stabilization units or community-based treatment.

• Requires the speedy trial period to be tolled immediately when a defendant is involuntarily committed under the Baker Act and allows state attorneys to consider dismissing charges upon successful completion of mental health treatment.

• Mandates annual reporting by December 30 from participating counties with detailed data on program outcomes, including arrests, diversions, treatment completion rates, and costs; both pilot programs expire December 31, 2023, and the act takes effect July 1, 2020.