The Tristin Murphy Act aims to enhance mental health support within Florida's criminal justice system by expanding existing programs and creating new initiatives. It amends section 394.658 of the Florida Statutes to include training for 911 public safety telecommunicators and emergency medical technicians, as well as veterans treatment court programs, under the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant Program. The bill also exempts certain fiscally constrained counties from local match requirements for specified grants. It encourages communities to establish mental health diversion programs for misdemeanor and ordinance violations, requiring defendants to sign consent forms to participate. The act emphasizes evaluating defendants with mental health issues and providing community-based services instead of incarceration, establishing criteria for eligibility in diversion programs, and allowing for the screening and evaluation of defendants for involuntary examination.

Additionally, the bill introduces the Florida Behavioral Health Care Data Repository, which will be developed by the Northwest Regional Data Center in collaboration with the Data Analysis Committee of the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder. This repository aims to analyze and improve mental health services and outcomes, particularly concerning criminal justice treatment and incarceration. The plan for the repository will include necessary technology, methodology, and a governance structure, and it mandates annual reports on trends and issues in the state's behavioral health systems. The bill appropriates $229,840 nonrecurring and $565,040 recurring from the General Revenue Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support the implementation of the repository, with the act set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 168 Filed: 916.185
S 168 c1: 916.185
S 168 c2: 916.185