House Bill 1248

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-27-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTION FOR THE CRIME OF BREAKING AND ENTERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH COURT ELIGIBILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9-27-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-27-11. (1) In order to be eligible for alternative sentencing through a local mental health court, the participant must satisfy each of the following criteria:

(a) The participant cannot have any felony convictions for any offenses that are crimes of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 * * * within the previous ten (10) years.

(b) The crime before the court cannot be a crime of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2, other than burglary under Section 97-17-23(1).

(c) Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence other than burglary under Section 97-17-23(1) cannot be pending against the participant.

(d) The crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance that resulted in the death of a person. In addition, persons who are ineligible for nonadjudication under Section 63-11-30 shall be ineligible to participate in a mental health court.

(e) The crime charged cannot be one of trafficking in controlled substances under Section 41-29-139(f), nor can the participant have a prior conviction for same.

(2) Participation in the services of a mental health treatment component shall be open only to the individuals over whom the court has jurisdiction, except that the court may agree to provide the services for individuals referred from another mental health court. In cases transferred from another jurisdiction, the receiving judge shall act as a special master and make recommendations to the sentencing judge.

(3) (a) As a condition of participation in a mental health court, a participant may be required to undergo a chemical test or a series of chemical tests as specified by the program. A participant is liable for the costs of all chemical tests required under this section, regardless of whether the costs are paid to the mental health court or the laboratory; however, if testing is available from other sources or the program itself, the judge may waive any fees for testing. Fees may be waived if the applicant is determined to be indigent.

(b) A laboratory that performs a chemical test under this section shall report the results of the test to the mental health court.

(4) A person does not have a right to participate in a mental health court under this chapter. The court having jurisdiction over a person for a matter before the court shall have the final determination about whether the person may participate in the mental health court under this chapter. However, any person meeting the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) of this section, shall, upon request, be screened for admission into the court's program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.