HEA 1271 Summary

• Creates a new Chapter 33-23-16 establishing comprehensive "problem solving courts" framework, replacing previous drug court and reentry court statutes, effective July 1, 2010.

• Authorizes city and county courts to establish seven types of problem solving courts: drug courts, mental health courts, family dependency drug courts, community courts, reentry courts, domestic violence courts, and veterans' courts.

• Requires problem solving courts to be certified by the Indiana Judicial Center and comply with board-adopted rules regarding eligibility criteria, minimum employment qualifications, and initial/recertification procedures.

• Establishes procedures allowing judges to defer proceedings or stay sentences for eligible individuals who complete problem solving court programs, with charges dismissed or convictions entered based on program completion or termination.

• Repeals previous drug court (IC 12-23-14.5) and reentry court (IC 33-23-14) statutes; transfers existing drug court funds to new problem solving court fund; requires existing courts to be recertified under new framework.