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Panel advances bill to require mental health evaluations for certain convictions as part of sentencing process
Summary
House Bill 10 89 was advanced unanimously in committee; the measure directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to oversee mental evaluations for certain offenses to inform sentencing and includes a reporting requirement.
NASHVILLE — The House Finance, Ways and Means Committee advanced House Bill 10 89 on April 17 by voice and recorded vote, sending the measure to calendar and rules by a reported tally of 28 ayes, 0 nos.
What the bill does Sponsor Chairman Hicks described the amended measure as requiring that individuals convicted of certain offenses — for example, those involving child abuse, domestic abuse and cruelty to animals, as discussed in committee — undergo mental health evaluations as part of the court sentencing process. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse would oversee who conducts the evaluations. The sponsor said the requirement applies to adults and that there will be a report after initial implementation to estimate the number of people who will need evaluations and whether individuals can pay for them.
Committee exchange Representative Camper and other members asked for examples of covered offenses and whether juveniles were included; the sponsor responded that the provision as written applies only to adults. Members also asked whether the Department would report back with numbers of evaluations and fiscal impacts; the sponsor said a report was expected after the department begins implementation.
Votes and action The committee advanced House Bill 10 89 to calendar and rules; the recorded committee vote was 28 ayes, 0 nos.
Speakers
