SF 3210

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/18/2022 08:49am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; expanding treatment courts throughout the state to ensure
statewide access; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 484.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [484.99] TREATMENT COURTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Legislative findings and purpose. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Judicial Branch has
described treatment courts as "the single most successful intervention in our nation's history
for leading people living with substance use and mental health disorders out of the justice
system and into lives of recovery and stability. They improve education, employment,
housing, and financial stability; and promote family reunification. Instead of viewing
addiction as a moral failing, they view it as a disease. Instead of punishment, they offer
treatment." Furthermore, the courts have said, "when these strategies are implemented
correctly, treatment courts improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars." As an important
public safety improvement, it is time to expand treatment courts to every part of Minnesota.
Although treatment courts save money to taxpayers through reduced crime and public safety
costs, they cost the court system more, and the judicial branch cannot establish and operate
these courts without sufficient funding, so significant additional funds are needed to
accomplish this goal.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin As used in this section,"treatment court" means a court designed
for criminal defendants who have specific mental health challenges, addictions, or other
health challenges and who need treatment in order to stop the cycle of relapse and recidivism
by treating substance use and mental health disorders that led to behaviors that brought the
criminal defendants to court. Treatment courts promote recovery through a coordinated
team approach, including judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, probation authorities,
coordinators, treatment providers, law enforcement, evaluators, and other ancillary service
providers. Treatment courts include but are not limited to drug courts, DWI courts, family
dependency treatment courts, juvenile drug courts, mental health courts, and veterans courts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Statewide requirement for sufficient treatment courts. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 15,
2026, the Judicial Council shall ensure that at least one-half of the judicial districts have
sufficient treatment courts operating within the district to fill the public safety needs of the
community and the health challenges facing many defendants.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 15, 2030, the Judicial Council shall ensure that every judicial district has
sufficient treatment courts operating within the district to fill the public safety needs of the
community and the health challenges facing many defendants.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, is appropriated from the general fund to
the supreme court to implement section 1.
new text end