While supporting the goal of this legislation - which would have established an alternative sentencing method for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness - we expressed concern that the legislation contained sparse detail on how the implementation of the program would occur. Amongst other issues, we encouraged that the bill be amended to explicitly describe the resources that would be provided for the program; allow defendants to opt out of the program; and address how individuals who fail to comply with all elements of the program due to their mental illness would be handled. However, the bill died in committee.
