Committee advances bill allowing solicitors to place defendants into pretrial diversion more than once

The House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to H.3057, a bill that would allow a solicitor to consent to a person’s participation in pretrial intervention (PTI) more than once while explicitly prohibiting repeat PTI for criminal domestic violence charges.

Mr. Weeks, reporting for the Bridal Law Subcommittee, said the bill amends sections of code to permit a solicitor to give consent for PTI participation more than one time, but it still bars a second PTI participation where the prior participation was for a domestic violence offense: "This bill would lift that bar if the solicitor consents," he said, adding that the bill mirrors language that passed previously.

Several members pressed for limits. Mr. Quinn asked whether unlimited PTI participation would defeat the program’s purpose and whether sign-off must always be by the solicitor rather than staff. Members discussed that the solicitor has discretion and that PTI can provide treatment options that a fine alone does not, a point emphasized by supporters who said PTI can reduce recidivism.

Representative Rutherford and others argued the solicitor’s discretion is appropriate and that solicitors are accountable to voters, while some members sought stronger victim input and transparency. Committee discussion also touched on existing application fees and whether fees should change if an individual enters PTI multiple times; the transcript records existing state fees but no bill language changing them.

The committee recorded a favorable report for H.3057 by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.