This bill establishes the Court-Appointed Criminal Defendant Competency Evaluation Roster Program, which aims to create a State-funded roster of qualified psychiatrists and licensed psychologists who can be appointed by the court to conduct competency evaluations for criminal defendants. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:4-5 to require that if a defendant is charged with a first or second-degree crime, at least two qualified professionals must be appointed for the evaluation. The bill also stipulates that the professional determining the necessity for hospitalization must be different from the one conducting the evaluation, ensuring an unbiased assessment. Additionally, it clarifies that the appointment of a professional from the State-funded roster does not prevent the defendant or prosecutor from hiring their own experts at their own expense.

The Administrative Director of the Courts will oversee the program, which includes publicizing its existence, establishing criteria for roster inclusion, and ensuring prompt payment for services from State appropriations. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the Legislature and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court regarding the program's activities. An annual appropriation from the General Fund is allocated to support the implementation of this program, which is designed to enhance the evaluation process for defendants' competency to stand trial while ensuring that qualified professionals are readily available to the courts.