Problem-solving courts provide vitally important services to this Commonwealth by addressing the needs of some of our most vulnerable populations. Almost three decades past the establishment of the first problem-solving court in Pennsylvania – an adult drug court program in Philadelphia – these specialized courts have expanded throughout the state, implemented as driving under the influence (DUI) courts, mental health courts, juvenile drug courts and veterans courts. Having represented clients in drug court, veterans court and mental health court, I can personally attest to the success of problem-solving courts. I believe that we must continue to support these specialized courts as they, in turn, support people who greatly benefit from receiving adequate treatment and rehabilitation in place of a jail sentence.
 
As such, I will be introducing legislation to replace the term “problem-solving courts” with “treatment courts” under state law. Making this adjustment both works to provide a more accurate descriptor of what these courts do and allows for the creation of new types of treatment courts. Making this change also reduces the negative connotations associated with the term “problem-solving.” Veterans and other individuals in need of this specialized support are not problems to be solved; they are human beings – neighbors, friends and family members who are in need of treatment and not disparagement.
 
Please join me in supporting this simple, yet substantial measure to support treatment courts in our state. Diverting certain nonviolent defendants to treatment courts works, to the benefit of the defendants themselves, the criminal justice system as a whole and families and communities throughout the Commonwealth.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1388 (Apr 17, 2025): 42-916
Printer's No. 1388: 42-916