HB2976 Summary

• Amends the Counties Code to authorize county boards to enact court-related fees, including a $5 fee for Vehicle Code violations (except DUI), up to $30 for DUI violations, and tiered criminal fees ($50 for felonies, $25 for Class A misdemeanors, $15 for Class B/C misdemeanors, $10 for petty offenses and business offenses).

• Implements a $100 fee for second and subsequent DUI violations with proceeds directed to alcohol and drug driving education programs in the county general fund.

• Authorizes a $10 fee for criminal convictions to fund county mental health courts, drug courts, and Veterans and Servicemembers Courts.

• Permits counties with youth diversion programs (teen court, peer court, youth court) and drug courts to impose up to $5 mandatory fees, with 95% going to those programs and 5% retained by the circuit court clerk.

• Allows counties with Children's Advocacy Centers to impose $5-$30 fees on criminal convictions, with all proceeds directed to the Center's operation and administration.