H.B. 1604 Summary

• Courts may order defendants to undergo substance abuse assessment and participate in necessary treatment at any time before trial, with assessment and treatment to commence within seven days of the court order.

• Parole revocation, credit forfeiture, and parolee arrest are prohibited if based solely on a single positive test for alcohol or unprescribed or illegal drug use.

• Current incarceration costs of $253 per day ($92,345 annually) per person justify redirecting funds toward employment, housing, social services, and community-based treatment programs to reduce recidivism.

• Existing grounds for parole revocation without hearing (conviction while on parole, unauthorized departure from state, psychiatric findings) remain unchanged.

• Act takes effect April 14, 2112.