This bill amends existing Florida statutes to revise the admissions process for veterans treatment court programs and to authorize sentencing courts to divert eligible defendants to these programs. Specifically, it allows the court, in consultation with a multidisciplinary team, to determine a defendant's eligibility for participation in veterans treatment court programs at any stage of a criminal proceeding. The bill removes the requirement for defendants to submit applications to the state attorney and instead emphasizes the role of the multidisciplinary team in assessing eligibility based on specific criteria, including service-related mental health conditions and the interests of justice.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision allowing sentencing courts to place defendants into postadjudicatory veterans treatment court programs for nonviolent felonies, provided the defendant is a servicemember or veteran and meets the eligibility criteria. It mandates that satisfactory completion of the program be a condition of probation or community control. The bill also stipulates that any violations of probation or community control by participants in the veterans treatment court program will be heard by the presiding judge of that program. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 845 Filed: 265.003, 320.08058