NC S353

Renames the existing "Drug Treatment Court Act of 1995" to the "Judicially Managed Accountability and Recovery Court Act of 2021" and expands the program's scope to address mental, behavioral, and medical health issues in addition to substance abuse.

Establishes a state-level Judicially Managed Accountability and Recovery Court Program administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts with a State Advisory Committee to develop minimum standards and guidelines for local courts.

Authorizes judicial districts to establish local judicially managed accountability and recovery courts with consent of the chief district court judge or senior resident superior court judge, with local management committees responsible for developing operational procedures.

Appropriates $150,000 in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to establish a pilot program in Onslow County focused on serving veterans of the United States Armed Forces, with continued funding expected to come from local sources and grants.

Requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to report pilot program results to the General Assembly's 2023 Regular Session and establishes an exemption for existing drug treatment courts to protect their eligibility for National Association of Drug Court Professionals grant funding.