FL H1109

Changes Military Veterans and Servicemembers Court Programs from optional ("may") to mandatory ("shall") for each judicial circuit's chief judge to establish

Eligible participants include veterans (including those discharged under any condition), current servicemembers, current/former U.S. Department of Defense contractors, and current/former military members of foreign allied countries

Participants must be charged or convicted of a criminal offense and suffer from military-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or psychological problem

Chief judges must consider nationally recognized best practices when adopting policies and procedures for the program

Effective date: July 1, 2020