OH HB778

Prohibits courts from ordering inpatient competency evaluations at facilities operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services or the Department of Developmental Disabilities, except when a defendant is charged with a felony or an offense of violence.

Requires municipal courts to conduct competency evaluations through community resources including certified forensic centers, court probation departments, and community mental health services providers instead of state hospital facilities.

Allows courts to order defendants charged with felonies or crimes of violence to undergo evaluations at state facilities for a maximum of twenty days, but only upon request of a certified forensic center examiner.

Maintains procedures for separate intellectual disability evaluations conducted by psychologists designated by the director of developmental disabilities, with the same facility restrictions applied.

Specifies that all competency evaluation expenses for municipal courts shall be borne by the court's legislative authority and taxed as costs in the case.