This bill amends Florida Statutes to enhance the reporting requirements for problem-solving courts, specifically mental health and treatment-based drug court programs. It mandates that the Office of the State Courts Administrator include specific data in annual reports, such as the number of participants by court type, their primary offenses, treatment compliance, recidivism rates, and changes in employment and housing status. The bill also revises the reporting frequency for mental health and treatment-based drug court programs from annually to at least quarterly, ensuring more timely and comprehensive data collection for program evaluation.

Additionally, the bill aligns the provisions of sections 394.47892 and 397.334 with the new reporting requirements established in section 43.51. It specifies that both mental health and treatment-based drug court programs must collect detailed client-level data and programmatic information for evaluation purposes. The changes aim to improve the effectiveness of these programs by providing a clearer picture of their operations and outcomes, ultimately enhancing accountability and transparency in the judicial system. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 820 Filed: 43.51, 394.47892, 397.334