MS SB2757

Counties may establish mental health court programs to process defendants with identified mental illness through treatment services tailored to individual needs, with participation in pretrial programs being voluntary.

Mental health court programs must collect client-level data including primary offenses, treatment compliance, completion status, and court appearance frequency, with annual reporting to the Office of the Administrative Office of Courts.

Each mental health court program must have at least one coordinator position (contingent on annual legislative appropriation) to coordinate between participating agencies, provide case management, and monitor participant compliance.

Counties funding mental health court programs must secure funding from sources other than the state, though multiple counties may jointly fund programs through interlocal agreements.

Section 21-23-8 is amended to define bail types including personal recognizance, unsecured appearance bonds, secured appearance bonds, and cash deposit bonds, with detailed requirements for cash deposit bonds including criminal history restrictions and affidavit procedures.