HF121 Summary

• Replaces terminology throughout competency statutes, changing "competency restoration" to "competency attainment" to reflect a more positive framing of defendants achieving competency.

• Establishes the State Competency Attainment Board to oversee a statewide system certifying competency attainment programs, managing forensic navigator services, and developing curriculum for defendants found incompetent to stand trial.

• Creates mandatory appointment of forensic navigators in competency cases to develop bridge plans, coordinate services, provide supervision, and assist defendants in accessing housing, mental health treatment, and other community resources.

• Expands competency dismissal timelines and procedures: misdemeanors dismissed immediately upon incompetency finding; targeted misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors dismissed within 1-2 years; felonies dismissed within 3-10 years unless prosecution declares intent to prosecute or charges involve serious crimes of violence.

• Appropriates $250,000 in FY2023 to establish the board and $11.35 million in FY2024 and $10.9 million in FY2025 for staffing and educational services to assist defendants in attaining competency.