BILL REQ. #:  S-0310.1 

Read first time 01/21/13.   Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing the establishment and use of veterans' treatment courts; amending RCW 2.28.190; adding a new section to chapter 2.28 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 2.28 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The chief justice of the supreme court may establish veterans' treatment courts for veterans and members of the United States armed forces. The supreme court may adopt administrative orders and court rules of practice and procedure as necessary.
     (2) Any jurisdiction that establishes a veterans' treatment court under this section may seek federal funding as it becomes available for the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of veterans' treatment courts and for the provision by participating agencies of treatment to participating veterans. The administrative office of the courts may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with the departments and agencies to provide treatment and other social services to participants. The departments and agencies shall collaborate and, to the extent possible, provide financial and other assistance to the judicial branch in order to establish and maintain veterans' treatment courts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "veterans' treatment court" means a specialized sentencing docket in select criminal cases in which the defendant is a veteran or member of the United States armed forces to enable veterans agencies and social services agencies to provide treatment for that defendant. The veterans' treatment court does not provide treatment but contracts or collaborates with experienced and expert treatment providers.

Sec. 2   RCW 2.28.190 and 2011 c 293 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any county that has established a DUI court, drug court, veterans' treatment court, and a mental health court under this chapter may combine the functions of these courts into a single therapeutic court.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.