Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to amend existing laws related to the determination and restoration of fitness in criminal proceedings, particularly concerning mental health evaluations and treatment for defendants. A significant change is the definition of contempt, which now clarifies that a refusal or inability to admit a defendant to the Montana state hospital is not considered contempt under specific circumstances, such as a lack of available beds or necessary documentation. The bill also outlines the commitment procedures for mental health examinations, appointing qualified professionals to assess defendants and establishing rules for the involuntary administration of medication. It revises the payment structure for commitment expenses, ensuring that costs for psychiatric examinations are covered by the office of the court administrator, regardless of the facility used.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for hearings on involuntary treatment, requiring courts to document the justification for any orders for involuntary medication. It allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to contract with qualified providers for treatment and mandates the development of individualized treatment plans for defendants. The bill emphasizes the need for a treatment review committee and an involuntary medication review board, while also stipulating that courts must review a defendant's custodial status every 30 days. Furthermore, it establishes a prioritization system for admissions to the Montana State Hospital, focusing on pretrial defendants and those charged with violent crimes, thereby streamlining the process and clarifying responsibilities regarding mental health evaluations in the legal system.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(1): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(2): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(3): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(4): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(5): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(6): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1: 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(1): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(10): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(11): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(2): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(3): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(4): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(5): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(6): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(7): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(8): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(9): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2: 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221