Senate Judiciary discusses S.193 amendment to require therapeutic forensic facility, clarifies language on 'multiple facilities'

The Senate Judiciary Committee considered an amendment to S.193 that would require a forensic facility to provide a therapeutic, recovery‑oriented and trauma‑informed environment comparable to a community‑based residential treatment setting while maintaining appropriate safety and security.

The amendment sponsor outlined the package of implementation provisions the committee added: staff qualifications and licensure standards, requirements that a registered nurse or a physician be available seven days a week around the clock, a clinical assessment within 72 hours of transfer, inclusion of required services in the WellPath contract, and reporting and rulemaking requirements. The amendment directs an interim report in October and an annual written report from the Department of Corrections and the Department of Mental Health to the committees by Jan. 15; committee staff said formal rulemaking to set clinical and quality…