Committee reviews bill to create DOC‑operated forensic facility for select insanity and competency cases

Kate McLenn of the Office of Legislative introduced a bill to create a locked, secure forensic facility that would be operated by the Department of Corrections and accept people ordered there by courts in specific criminal cases. "This is a bill about a creation of a forensic facility," McLenn said, emphasizing this draft differs from prior proposals that envisioned a Health Department–run, treatment‑focused facility.

The bill targets two distinct populations: people found not competent to stand trial for offenses punishable by life, and people acquitted by reason of insanity for such offenses. McLenn said competency determinations for admission are legal findings made by the court and are distinct from the clinical standard used for civil involuntary treatment. "When we're making determinations about competency to stand trial, that's a different determination than if, for example, somebody is needing mental health care and would be a person in need of treatment," she said.

Under the draft, the Department of Corrections would operate the facility and…