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Senate Health & Welfare begins review of bill to create DOC-run forensic facility for certain criminal defendants
Summary
Committee began a multi-part review of S.193, a proposal to create a locked forensic facility operated by the Department of Corrections for a narrow subset of forensic cases (primarily offenses with potential life sentences); the Department of Mental Health said the bill fills a gap for people who do not qualify for DMH hospitalization, and members requested further DMH input on clinical oversight and involuntary medication language.
The Senate Health & Welfare committee opened a detailed review of S.193, a bill proposing that the Department of Corrections (DOC) establish and operate a locked forensic facility to provide secure evaluation, treatment and custody for a narrowly defined group of criminal-justice-involved people.
Committee staff explained that under current law people found to be a danger to themselves or others because of mental illness are generally committed to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) through civil or criminal (forensic) processes. S.193 would carve out a subset of forensic cases—largely defendants charged with offenses that carry a potential life…
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