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Senate passes bill extending retirement period for misdemeanor charges when defendants are found incompetent
Summary
Senate Bill 963 (conforming to House Bill 1177) extends the retirement period for misdemeanor charges against defendants found incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness from 11 months, 29 days to 2 years, and aligns adjudication procedures for individuals with disabilities.
The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 11 77 (conforming to Senate Bill 963) on third and final consideration, extending the retirement timeline for certain misdemeanor charges involving defendants found incompetent to stand trial.
Sponsor Senator Tom Hatcher told the chamber the bill closes a gap identified after passage of the Jillian Ludwig Act last year and extends the required retirement period from 11 months, 29 days to two years for misdemeanor charges against persons found incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness.
Senator Hatcher said the House amendment ensures the adjudication process treats individuals with a disability diagnosis consistently. There was no recorded opposition on the floor and the clerk recorded 30 ayes, no nays, after which the presiding officer declared the bill passed.
