730 ILCS 168/ Mental Health Court Treatment Act.

(730 ILCS 168/1)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Mental Health Court Treatment Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-606, eff. 6-1-08.)

(730 ILCS 168/5)

Sec. 5. Purposes. The General Assembly recognizes that individuals with diagnosable mental illness may come into contact with the criminal justice system and be charged with felony or misdemeanor offenses. The General Assembly also recognizes that mental illness and substance use disorders co-occur in a substantial percentage of criminal defendants. There is a critical need for the criminal justice system to recognize individuals struggling with these issues, provide alternatives to incarceration to address mental illness, and provide appropriate access to treatment and support to such individuals. It is the intent of the General Assembly to create specialized mental health courts in accordance with evidence-based practices and Problem-Solving Court Standards for addressing substance use and co-occurring disorders with the necessary flexibility to meet the needs for an array of services and supports among participants in certified mental health court programs in the State of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/10)

Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Certification" means the process by which a problem-solving court obtains approval from the Supreme Court to operate in accordance with the Problem-Solving Court Standards.

"Clinical treatment plan" means an evidence-based, comprehensive, and individualized plan that: (i) is developed by a qualified professional in accordance with Department of Human Services substance use prevention and recovery rules under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060 or an equivalent standard in any state where treatment may take place; and (ii) defines the scope of treatment services to be delivered by a court treatment provider.

"Combination mental health court program" means a type of problem-solving court that allows an individual to enter a problem-solving court before a plea, conviction, or disposition while also permitting an individual who has admitted guilt, or been found guilty, to enter a problem-solving court as a part of the individual's sentence or disposition.

"Community behavioral health center" means a physical site where behavioral healthcare services are provided in accordance with the Community Behavioral Health Center Infrastructure Act.

"Community mental health center" means an entity:

(1) licensed by the Department of Public Health as a community mental health center in accordance with the conditions of participation for community mental health centers established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and

(2) that provides outpatient services, including specialized outpatient services, for individuals who are chronically mental ill.

"Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders court program" means a program that includes an individual with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder diagnoses and professionals with training and experience in treating individuals with diagnoses of substance use disorder and mental illness.

"Mental health court", "mental health court program", "court", or "program" means a specially designated court, court calendar, or docket facilitating intensive therapeutic treatment to monitor and assist participants with mental illness in making positive lifestyle changes and reducing the rate of recidivism. Mental health court programs are nonadversarial in nature and bring together mental health professionals and local social programs in accordance with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Council of State Governments Justice Center's Essential Elements of a Mental Health Court and the Problem-Solving Court Standards. Common features of a mental health court program include, but are not limited to, a designated judge and staff; specialized intake and screening procedures; coordinated treatment procedures administered by a trained, multidisciplinary professional team; close evaluation of participants, including continued assessments and modification of the court requirements and use of sanctions, incentives, and therapeutic adjustments to address behavior; frequent judicial interaction with participants; less formal court process and procedures; voluntary participation; and a low treatment staff-to-client ratio.

"Mental health court professional" means a member of the mental health court team, including but not limited to a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, probation officer, coordinator, or treatment provider.

"Peer recovery coach" means a mentor assigned to a defendant during participation in a mental health treatment court program who has been trained by the court, a service provider used by the court for substance use disorder or mental health treatment, a local service provider with an established peer recovery coach or mentor program not otherwise used by the court for treatment, or a Certified Recovery Support Specialist certified by the Illinois Certification Board. "Peer recovery coach" includes individuals with lived experiences of the issues the problem-solving court seeks to address, including, but not limited to, substance use disorder, mental illness, and co-occurring disorders or involvement with the criminal justice system. "Peer recovery coach" includes individuals required to guide and mentor the participant to successfully complete assigned requirements and to facilitate participants' independence for continued success once the supports of the court are no longer available to them.

"Post-adjudicatory mental health court program" means a program that allows an individual who has admitted guilt or has been found guilty, with the defendant's consent, and the approval of the court, to enter a mental health court program as part of the defendant's sentence or disposition.

"Pre-adjudicatory mental health court program" means a program that allows the defendant, with the defendant's consent and the approval of the court, to enter the mental health court program before plea, conviction, or disposition and requires successful completion of the mental health court program as part of the agreement.

"Problem-Solving Court Standards" means the statewide standards adopted by the Supreme Court that set forth the minimum requirements for the planning, establishment, certification, operation, and evaluation of all problem-solving courts in this State.

"Validated clinical assessment" means a validated assessment tool administered by a qualified clinician to determine the treatment needs of participants. "Validated clinical assessment" includes assessment tools required by public or private insurance.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/15)

Sec. 15. Authorization.

(a) The Chief Judge of each judicial circuit may establish a mental health court program, in compliance with the Problem-Solving Court Standards. At the discretion of the Chief Judge, the mental health court program may be operated in one or more counties of the circuit and allow defendants from all counties within the circuit to participate. Mental health court programs must be certified by the Supreme Court.

(b) Whenever the county boards of 2 or more counties within the same judicial circuit determine that a single mental health court program would best serve those counties, the county board of each such county may adopt a resolution to the effect that there shall be a single mental health court program serving those counties, and shall provide a copy of the resolution to the Chief Judge of the judicial circuit. Upon receipt of such a resolution, the Chief Judge may establish or, in the case of an existing mental health court program, reorganize a single mental health court program to serve these counties.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/20)

Sec. 20. Eligibility.

(a) A defendant may be admitted into a mental health court program only upon the consent of the defendant and with the approval of the court. A defendant agrees to be admitted when a written consent to participate is provided to the court in open court and the defendant acknowledges understanding its contents.

(a-5) Each mental health court shall have a target population defined in its written policies and procedures. The policies and procedures shall define that court's eligibility and exclusionary criteria.

(b) A defendant shall be excluded from a mental health court program if any one of the following applies:

(1) The crime is a crime of violence as set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection (b).

(2) The defendant does not demonstrate a willingness to participate in a treatment program.

(3) The defendant has been convicted of a crime of violence within the past 5 years excluding incarceration time, parole, and periods of mandatory supervised release. As used in this paragraph (3), "crime of violence" means: first degree murder, second degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, armed robbery, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping, aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm or permanent disability, aggravated domestic battery resulting in great bodily harm or permanent disability, aggravated criminal sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust or authority over a child, stalking, aggravated stalking, home invasion, aggravated vehicular hijacking, or any offense involving the discharge of a firearm.

(4) The defendant is charged with a violation of subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code in which an individual is charged with aggravated driving under the influence that resulted in the death of another person or when the violation was a proximate cause of the death, unless, pursuant to subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the court determines that extraordinary circumstances exist and require probation.

(5) (Blank).

(6) (Blank).

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the defendant may be admitted into a mental health court program only upon the agreement of the prosecutor if the defendant is charged with a Class 2 or greater felony violation of:

(1) Section 401, 401.1, 405, or 405.2 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act;

(2) Section 5, 5.1, or 5.2 of the Cannabis Control Act; or

(3) Section 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 56, or 65 of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-652, eff. 7-1-21; 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/25)

Sec. 25. Procedure.

(a) An eligibility screening and an assessment of the defendant shall be performed as required by the court's policies and procedures. The assessment shall include a validated clinical assessment. The clinical assessment shall include, but is not limited to, assessments of substance use and mental and behavioral health needs. The clinical assessment shall be administered by a qualified professional and used to inform any clinical treatment plans. Clinical treatment plans shall be developed, in part, upon the known availability of treatment resources available. Assessments for substance use disorder shall be conducted in accordance with the Department of Human Services substance use prevention and recovery rules contained in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060 or an equivalent standard in any other state where treatment may take place, and conducted by individuals who meet the Department of Human Services substance use prevention and recovery rules for professional staff also contained within that Code, or an equivalent standard in any other state where treatment may take place. The assessments shall be used to inform any clinical treatment plans. Clinical treatment plans shall be developed in accordance with Problem-Solving Court Standards and, in part, upon the known availability of treatment resources. An assessment need not be ordered if the court finds a valid assessment related to the present charge pending against the defendant has been completed within the previous 60 days.

(b) The judge shall inform the defendant that if the defendant fails to meet the conditions of the mental health court program, eligibility to participate in the program may be revoked and the defendant may be sentenced or the prosecution continued as provided in the Unified Code of Corrections for the crime charged.

(c) The defendant shall execute a written agreement as to his or her participation in the program and shall agree to all of the terms and conditions of the program, including but not limited to the possibility of sanctions or incarceration for failing to abide or comply with the terms of the program.

(d) In addition to any conditions authorized under the Pretrial Services Act and Section 5-6-3 of the Unified Code of Corrections, the court may order the participant to complete mental health counseling or substance use disorder treatment in an outpatient or residential treatment program and may order the participant to comply with physicians' recommendations regarding medications and all follow-up treatment for any mental health diagnosis made by the provider. Substance use disorder treatment programs must be licensed by the Department of Human Services in accordance with the Department of Human Services substance use prevention and recovery rules, or an equivalent standard in any other state where the treatment may take place, and use evidence-based treatment. When referring participants to mental health treatment programs, the court shall prioritize providers certified as community mental health or behavioral health centers if possible. The court shall consider the least restrictive treatment option when ordering mental health or substance use disorder treatment for participants and the results of clinical and risk assessments in accordance with the Problem-Solving Court Standards.

(e) The mental health court program shall include a regimen of graduated requirements, including fines, fees, costs, restitution, individual and group therapy, medication, substance analysis testing, close monitoring by the court, supervision of progress, restitution, educational or vocational counseling as appropriate, and other requirements necessary to fulfill the mental health court program. Program phases, therapeutic adjustments, incentives, and sanctions, including the use of jail sanctions, shall be administered in accordance with evidence-based practices and the Problem-Solving Court Standards. A participant's failure to pay program fines or fees shall not prevent the participant from advancing phases or successfully completing the program. If the participant needs treatment for an opioid use disorder or dependence, the court may not prohibit the participant from receiving medication-assisted treatment under the care of a physician licensed in this State to practice medicine in all of its branches. Mental health court participants may not be required to refrain from using medication-assisted treatment as a term or condition of successful completion of the mental health court program.

(f) The mental health court program may maintain or collaborate with a network of mental health treatment programs and, if it is a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders court program, a network of substance use disorder treatment programs representing a continuum of treatment options commensurate with the needs of the participant and available resources, including programs of this State.

(g) Recognizing that individuals struggling with mental health, addiction, and related co-occurring disorders have often experienced trauma, mental health court programs may include specialized service programs specifically designed to address trauma. These specialized services may be offered to individuals admitted to the mental health court program. Judicial circuits establishing these specialized programs shall partner with advocates, survivors, and service providers in the development of the programs. Trauma-informed services and programming shall be operated in accordance with evidence-based best practices as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National Center for Trauma-Informed Care.

(h) The court may establish a mentorship program that provides access and support to program participants by peer recovery coaches. Courts shall be responsible to administer the mentorship program with the support of mentors and local mental health and substance use disorder treatment organizations.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/30)

Sec. 30. Mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

(a) The mental health court program may maintain or collaborate with a network of mental health treatment programs and, if it is a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders court program, a network of substance use disorder treatment programs representing a continuum of treatment options commensurate with the needs of participants and available resources.

(b) Any substance use disorder treatment program to which participants are referred must hold a valid license from the Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, use evidence-based treatment, and deliver all services in accordance with 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060, including services available through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Veterans Assistance Commission, or an equivalent standard in any other state where treatment may take place.

(c) The mental health court program may, at its discretion, employ additional services or interventions, as it deems necessary on a case by case basis.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/35)

Sec. 35. Violation; termination; dismissal from program.

(a) If the court finds from the evidence presented, including, but not limited to, the reports or proffers of proof from the mental health court professionals, that: (1) the participant is not complying with the requirements of the treatment program; or (2) the participant has otherwise violated the terms and conditions of the program, the court may impose reasonable sanctions under the prior written agreement of the participant, including, but not limited to, imprisonment or dismissal of the defendant from the program and the court may reinstate criminal proceedings against the participant or proceed under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional discharge, or supervision hearing.

(a-5) Based on the evidence presented, the court shall determine whether the participant has violated the conditions of the program and whether the participant should be dismissed from the program or whether, pursuant to the court's policies and procedures, some other alternative may be appropriate in the interests of the participant and the public.

(a-10) A participant may voluntarily withdraw from the mental health court program in accordance with the mental health court program's policies and procedures. Prior to allowing the participant to withdraw, the judge shall:

(1) ensure that the participant has the right to consult with counsel prior to withdrawal;

(2) determine in open court that the withdrawal is made voluntarily and knowingly; and

(3) admonish the participant in open court, as to the consequences, actual or potential, which can result from withdrawal.

Upon withdrawal, the criminal proceedings may be reinstated against the participant or proceedings may be initiated under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional discharge, or supervision hearing.

(a-15) No participant may be dismissed from the program unless, prior to such dismissal, the participant is informed in writing: (i) of the reason or reasons for the dismissal; (ii) the evidentiary basis supporting the reason or reasons for the dismissal; (iii) that the participant has a right to a hearing at which he or she may present evidence supporting his or her continuation in the program.

(a-20) A participant who has not violated the conditions of the program in such a way as to warrant unsuccessful dismissal, but who is unable to complete program requirements to qualify for a successful discharge, may be terminated from the program as a neutral discharge.

(b) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions of the program, the court may dismiss the original charges against the participant or successfully terminate the participant's sentence or otherwise discharge the participant from the program or from any further proceedings against the participant in the original prosecution.

(c) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions of the program, any State's Attorney in the county of conviction, a participant, or defense attorney may move to vacate any convictions that are eligible for sealing under the Criminal Identification Act. A participant may file a petition to expunge the associated records pursuant to the Criminal Identification Act, including filing a petition in advance of anticipated vacatur and dismissal. If the State's Attorney moves to vacate a conviction, the State's Attorney may not object to expungement of that conviction or the underlying record.

(d) The mental health court program may maintain or collaborate with a network of legal aid organizations that specialize in conviction relief to support participants navigating the expungement and sealing process.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22; 103-755, eff. 8-2-24.)

(730 ILCS 168/40)

Sec. 40. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 102-1006, eff. 1-1-23. Repealed by P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/41)

Sec. 41. Education seminars for judges. A judge assigned to preside over a mental health court shall have experience, training, and continuing education in topics including, but not limited to:

(1) criminal law;

(2) behavioral health;

(3) confidently;

(4) ethics;

(5) evidence-based practices;

(6) substance use disorders;

(7) mental illness;

(8) co-occurring disorders; and

(9) presiding over various types of problem-solving courts.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/45)

Sec. 45. Education seminars for mental health court prosecutors. Subject to appropriation, the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor shall conduct mandatory education seminars for all prosecutors serving in mental health courts throughout the State to ensure that the problem-solving court maintains fidelity to the problem-solving court model. Topics include, but are not limited to, evidence-based screening, assessment and treatment practices, target population, substance use disorders, mental illness, disability, co-occurring disorders, trauma, confidentiality, criminogenic risks and needs, incentives and sanctions, court processes, limited English proficiency, and team dynamics.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/50)

Sec. 50. Education seminars for mental health court public defenders. Subject to appropriation, the Office of the State Appellate Defender shall conduct mandatory education seminars for all public defenders and assistant public defenders practicing in mental health courts throughout the State to ensure that the problem-solving court maintains fidelity to the problem-solving court model. Topics include, but are not limited to, evidence-based screening, assessment and treatment practices, target population, substance use disorders, mental illness, disability, co-occurring disorders, trauma, confidentiality, criminogenic risks and needs, incentives and sanctions, court processes, limited English proficiency, and team dynamics.

(Source: P.A. 102-1041, eff. 6-2-22.)

(730 ILCS 168/105)

Sec. 105. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 95-606, eff. 6-1-08; text omitted.)