Assembly Bill 847 proposes the establishment of a grant program aimed at providing alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for individuals with mental illness who are low to medium risk offenders. This program will be administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in collaboration with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Department of Health Services (DHS). The bill outlines eligibility criteria for counties and tribes to receive grants, which include the development of programs that focus on restorative justice principles, address mental health needs, and promote public safety while reducing recidivism and incarceration costs. The program is set as a pilot initiative, with a five-year limit on grant awards, after which the DOJ is required to prepare a summary outcome report to evaluate the program's effectiveness and make recommendations for its future.

The bill also includes several amendments to existing statutes, specifically replacing references to "substance abuse treatment" with "mental health treatment" in various sections, thereby broadening the scope of treatment programs eligible for certain benefits. Additionally, it mandates that counties or tribes receiving grants must create oversight committees to evaluate their programs and submit annual reports to the DOJ. The bill allocates funding for the administration of the grant program, increasing authorized positions within the DOJ to support its implementation. Overall, Assembly Bill 847 aims to enhance mental health treatment options within the criminal justice system, ultimately benefiting both individuals with mental illness and the broader community.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 165.95(5)(b), 165.95, 302.43, 961.472(5)(b), 961.472, 967.11(1), 967.11, 967.11(2), 973.155(1m), 973.155