SB 5760-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Declares an intent of the legislature to decrease the likelihood of recidivism and reincarceration by mentally ill offenders under correctional supervision in the community by authorizing:  (1) The courts to request presentence reports from the department of corrections when a relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior is suspected, and to order psychiatric evaluation or treatment for offenders whose criminal behavior is influenced by a mental illness; and

     (2) community corrections officers to work with community mental health providers to support participation in treatment by mentally ill offenders on community placement or community supervision.

     Allows a court to order an offender on community placement or community supervision to undergo a mental status evaluation or to participate in available outpatient mental treatment, if the court finds that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the offender is a mentally ill person as defined in RCW 71.24.025, and that this condition is likely to have influenced the offense.  An order of mental status evaluation or treatment must be based on a presentence report and, if applicable, mental status evaluations that have been filed with the court to determine the offender's competency or eligibility for a defense of insanity.

     Requires that in collaboration with the department of social and health services, the department of corrections shall track outcomes and submit to the legislature a report of services and outcomes by December 31, 1999.

     Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.