House Bill 419 Summary

• Renames the Rivers McGraw Mental Health Diversion Pilot Program Act to the Rivers McGraw Mental Health Court Act and expands mental health courts statewide rather than limiting to pilot districts.

• Establishes the State Mental Health Courts Advisory Committee (7-11 members appointed by Supreme Court) to develop certification standards, monitor courts, and make recommendations to the Chief Justice and Administrative Office of Courts.

• Requires the Administrative Office of Courts to certify and re-certify mental health courts every two years based on minimum standards including evidence-based practices, risk assessment tools, and monthly data collection and reporting.

• Creates the Mental Health Court Fund in the State Treasury to provide supplemental funding to all mental health courts, consisting of appropriated monies, interest, federal funds, and other sources.

• Allows youth court intake units to recommend and youth courts to order referral of children to youth court mental health court programs.