Chair says DOC will run interim competency-restoration program while permanent forensic facility is planned

The Chair of the House Judiciary Committee told members the committee is moving toward language that would allow the Department of Corrections to run a forensic and competency-restoration program as an interim measure while a permanent forensic facility is being developed. The Chair said the provisions affecting sections 2, 4 and 5 would be inserted with a sunset in July 2029 and that provisions scheduled for July 1 would take effect on that date.

"So it's really a bridge to that," the Chair said, describing the change as a temporary arrangement to increase DOC involvement in treating people being held by DOC while the permanent facility is planned.

Committee members asked whether unrelated amendments would affect the package; the Chair said she discussed the issues with the chairs of human services, corrections and institutions, and health care and that the chairs were conceptually supportive but want to review the exact language. The Chair said she expects the House to vote on concurrence as soon as tomorrow if the final language is ready and distributed to potential sponsors.

Committee members pressed for clarity about operational details and cautioned against assuming immediate implementation. The Chair said staff will circulate the draft and follow up offline with members and with staff from other committees reviewing the language.

The Chair said she would not be overly optimistic until members have the final text to review and confirmed that, at minimum, the corrections and institutions committee will walk through the language. The committee adjourned until further notice and agreed to reconvene or be called back if the bill text becomes available in time for a vote.