For those interested, please be advised that the Department of
State Hospitals (DSH) will be hosting a statewide webinar on
Wednesday, February 19, from 12:00-1:00 PM, on
Senate Bill (SB) 1323 (Chapter 646, Statutes of 2024).
This webinar will provide information regarding statutory
and procedural changes implemented with the passage of SB
1323. Please register for the webinar using the link
below and extend this invitation to anyone who would benefit from
attending.
SB 1323, among other things, allows evaluation of a defendant’s
mental competency by up to two licensed medical professionals, as
well as a subsequent report of this evaluation to be submitted to
the court for determination, in lieu of a traditional hearing to
determine competency. As such. should a felony defendant be found
to be incompetent to stand trial, the court would be required to
ascertain if attaining competency is in the interest of the
justice system. If a restoration of competency is not deemed to
be in the interest of justice, and if an individual is ineligible
or unsuccessful in a diversion program, a court may take a number
of next steps, including a referral to the CARE Act Program.
