The bill, S.B. No. 1431, amends the Government Code to clarify the eligibility criteria for participation in various drug court programs. It allows commissioners courts or municipal governing bodies to establish drug courts for individuals arrested, charged, or convicted of offenses related to alcohol or controlled substances. The bill introduces new eligibility requirements for juveniles, stating that they cannot participate in drug court programs for certain conduct unless the state attorney consents. Specifically, this includes cases involving the carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons, or cases resulting in death or serious bodily injury to another person.

Additionally, the bill mandates that counties with populations over 200,000 must establish a drug court program and comply with existing regulations. The changes in law will apply to juveniles entering drug court programs regardless of when the conduct occurred, ensuring that the new eligibility criteria are uniformly enforced. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 123.002, Government Code 123.006 (Government Code 123)