House Bill 26-037

This bill creates a treatment-focused system for determining competency to stand trial in San Andreas. It establishes clear legal standards and requires prompt evaluations, with a preference for outpatient and community-based assessments. Defendants found incompetent are diverted from traditional prosecution into behavioral health treatment, with an emphasis on the least restrictive setting and expanded use of community-based restoration services.

The bill also sets time limits on restoration efforts, requires regular court review, and mandates dismissal of charges if competency cannot be restored within those limits. It prohibits holding individuals in jail solely due to lack of treatment capacity and directs the state to expand behavioral health programs, aiming to improve outcomes while protecting due process and public safety.