HB 2451 Summary

• Authorizes court-appointed examiners to conduct mental health examinations of defendants via telehealth at facilities under jurisdiction of the director of health, director of law enforcement, director of corrections and rehabilitation, or chief justice.

• Requires each facility to establish procedures ensuring widest possible availability of telehealth resources for defendant examinations.

• Amends procedures for petty misdemeanor defendants not involving violence by allowing courts to order release on conditions for placement in group homes or other facilities for further assessment, in addition to commitment options.

• Requires the director of health to automatically screen defendants during assessment and file petitions for involuntary hospitalization or assisted community treatment if clinical teams determine criteria are met.

• Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation, and judiciary for implementation, with amounts and FTE positions to be specified; declares appropriations exceed the general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025.