Public Act 102-1041
 
SB2565 EnrolledLRB102 16553 KMF 21949 b

    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Drug Court Treatment Act is amended by
changing Sections 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 as
follows:
 
    (730 ILCS 166/5)
    Sec. 5. Purposes. The General Assembly recognizes that
individuals struggling with substance use disorders may come
into contact with the criminal justice system and be charged
with felony or misdemeanor offenses. The General Assembly also
recognizes that substance use disorders and mental illness
co-occur in a substantial percentage of criminal defendants
the use and abuse of drugs has a dramatic effect on the
criminal justice system in the State of Illinois. There is a
critical need for the a criminal justice system to recognize
individuals struggling with these issues, provide alternatives
to incarceration to address substance use disorders when
possible, and provide appropriate access to treatment and
support to such individuals program that will reduce the
incidence of drug use, drug addiction, and crimes committed as
a result of drug use and drug addiction. It is the intent of
the General Assembly to create specialized drug courts, in
accordance with evidence-based practices and the Illinois
Supreme Court Problem-Solving Court Standards for addressing
substance use and co-occurring disorders, with the necessary
flexibility to meet the needs for an array of services and
supports among participants in certified drug court programs
the drug problems in the State of Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 92-58, eff. 1-1-02.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/10)
    Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
    "Certification" means the process by which a
problem-solving court obtains approval from the Supreme Court
to operate in accordance with the Problem-Solving Court
Standards.
    "Clinical treatment plan" means an evidence-based,
comprehensive, and individualized plan that: (i) is developed
by a qualified professional in accordance with the Department
of Human Services substance use prevention and recovery rules
under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060 or an equivalent standard in any
state where treatment may take place; and (ii) defines the
scope of treatment services to be delivered by a court
treatment provider.
    "Combination drug court program" means a type of
problem-solving court that allows an individual to enter a
problem-solving court before a plea, conviction, or
disposition while also permitting an individual who has
admitted guilt, or been found guilty, to enter a
problem-solving court as a part of the individual's sentence
or disposition.
    "Community behavioral health center" means a physical site
where behavioral healthcare services are provided in
accordance with the Community Behavioral Health Center
Infrastructure Act.
    "Community mental health center" means an entity:
        (1) licensed by the Department of Public Health as a
    community mental health center in accordance with the
    conditions of participation for community mental health
    centers established by the Centers for Medicare and
    Medicaid Services; and
        (2) that provides outpatient services, including
    specialized outpatient services, for individuals who are
    chronically mental ill.
    "Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
court program" means a program that includes an individual
with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder
diagnoses and professionals with training and experience in
treating individuals with diagnoses of substance use disorder
and mental illness.
    "Drug court", "drug court program", "court", or "program"
means a specially designated court, court calendar, or docket
facilitating intensive therapeutic treatment to monitor and
assist participants with substance use disorders in making
positive lifestyle changes and reducing the rate of
recidivism. Drug court programs are nonadversarial in nature
and bring together substance use disorder professionals, local
social programs, and monitoring in accordance with the
nationally recommended 10 key components of drug courts and
the Problem-Solving Court Standards. Common features of a drug
court program include, but are not limited to, a designated
judge and staff; specialized intake and screening procedures;
coordinated treatment procedures administered by a trained,
multidisciplinary professional team; close evaluation of
participants, including continued assessments and modification
of the court requirements and use of sanctions, incentives,
and therapeutic adjustments to address behavior; frequent
judicial interaction with participants; less formal court
process and procedures; voluntary participation; and a low
treatment staff-to-client ratio. an immediate and highly
structured judicial intervention process for substance abuse
treatment of eligible defendants that brings together
substance abuse professionals, local social programs, and
intensive judicial monitoring in accordance with the
nationally recommended 10 key components of drug courts.
    "Drug court professional" means a member of the drug court
team, including but not limited to a judge, prosecutor,
defense attorney, probation officer, coordinator, or treatment
provider, or peer recovery coach.
    "Peer recovery coach" means a mentor assigned to a
defendant during participation in a drug treatment court
program who has been trained by the court, a service provider
used by the court for substance use disorder or mental health
treatment, a local service provider with an established peer
recovery coach or mentor program not otherwise used by the
court for treatment, or a Certified Recovery Support
Specialist certified by the Illinois Certification Board.
"Peer recovery coach" includes individuals with lived
experiences of the issues the problem-solving court seeks to
address, including, but not limited to, substance use
disorder, mental illness, and co-occurring disorders or
involvement with the criminal justice system. "Peer recovery
coach" includes individuals required to guide and mentor the
participant to successfully complete assigned requirements and
to facilitate participants' independence for continued success
once the supports of the court are no longer available to them.
    "Post-adjudicatory drug court program" means a program
that allows an individual who has admitted guilt or has been
found guilty, with the defendant's consent, and the approval
of the court, to enter a drug court program as part of the
defendant's sentence or disposition.
    "Pre-adjudicatory drug court program" means a program that
allows the defendant, with the defendant's consent and the
approval of the court, to enter the drug court program before
plea, conviction, or disposition and requires successful
completion of the drug court program as part of the agreement.
    "Problem-Solving Court Standards" means the statewide
standards adopted by the Supreme Court that set forth the
minimum requirements for the planning, establishment,
certification, operation, and evaluation of all
problem-solving courts in this State.
    "Validated clinical assessment" means a validated
assessment tool administered by a qualified clinician to
determine the treatment needs of participants. "Validated
clinical assessment" includes assessment tools required by
public or private insurance.
    "Pre-adjudicatory drug court program" means a program that
allows the defendant, with the consent of the prosecution, to
expedite the defendant's criminal case before conviction or
before filing of a criminal case and requires successful
completion of the drug court program as part of the agreement.
    "Post-adjudicatory drug court program" means a program in
which the defendant has admitted guilt or has been found
guilty and agrees, along with the prosecution, to enter a drug
court program as part of the defendant's sentence.
    "Combination drug court program" means a drug court
program that includes a pre-adjudicatory drug court program
and a post-adjudicatory drug court program.
(Source: P.A. 97-946, eff. 8-13-12.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/15)
    Sec. 15. Authorization.
    (a) The Chief Judge of each judicial circuit may must
establish a drug court program in compliance with the
Problem-Solving Court Standards. At the discretion of the
Chief Judge, the drug court program may be operated in one or
more counties of the circuit and allow defendants from all
counties within the circuit to participate. Drug court
programs must be certified by the Illinois Supreme Court
including the format under which it operates under this Act.
    (b) Whenever the county boards of 2 or more counties
within the same judicial circuit shall determine that a single
drug court program would best serve those counties, the county
board of each such county may shall adopt a resolution to the
effect that there shall be a single drug court program serving
those counties, and shall provide a copy of the resolution to
the Chief Judge of the judicial circuit. Upon receipt of such a
resolution, those resolutions, the Chief Judge may shall
establish or, in the case of an existing drug court program,
reorganize re-organize a single drug court program to serve
those counties.
    (c) (Blank). Upon petition of the county board by the
State's Attorney, the court may, for good cause shown of
financial hardship or lack of necessary resources, enter an
order delaying the implementation of the requirements of
subsection (a) of this Section for an individual county, for a
period not to exceed 2 years.
(Source: P.A. 96-776, eff. 1-1-10.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/20)
    Sec. 20. Eligibility.
    (a) A defendant may be admitted into a drug court program
only upon the consent agreement of the defendant and with the
approval of the court. A defendant agrees to be admitted when a
written consent to participate is provided to the court in
open court and the defendant acknowledges understanding its
contents.
    (a-5) Each drug court shall have a target population
defined in its written policies and procedures. The policies
and procedures shall define that court's eligibility and
exclusionary criteria.
    (b) A defendant shall be excluded from a drug court
program if any of one of the following applies apply:
        (1) The crime is a crime of violence as set forth in
    paragraph clause (4) of this subsection (b).
        (2) The defendant denies his or her use of or
    addiction to drugs.
        (3) The defendant does not demonstrate a willingness
    to participate in a treatment program.
        (4) The defendant has been convicted of a crime of
    violence within the past 5 10 years excluding
    incarceration time, parole, and periods of mandatory
    supervised release. As used in this paragraph Section,
    "crime of violence" means: first degree murder, second
    degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault of a
    child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual
    assault, armed robbery, aggravated arson, arson,
    aggravated kidnaping, kidnapping kidnaping, aggravated
    battery resulting in great bodily harm or permanent
    disability, aggravated domestic battery resulting in great
    bodily harm or permanent disability, aggravated criminal
    sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust or
    authority over a child, stalking, aggravated stalking,
    home invasion, aggravated vehicular hijacking, or any
    offense involving the discharge of a firearm.
        (5) The defendant is charged with a violation of
    subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of
    Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code in which an
    individual is charged with aggravated driving under the
    influence that resulted in the death of another person or
    when the violation was a proximate cause of the death,
    unless, pursuant to subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) of
    subsection (d) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle
    Code, the court determines that extraordinary
    circumstances exist and require probation.
    (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the defendant may be
admitted into a drug court program only upon the agreement of
the prosecutor if the defendant is charged with a Class 2 or
greater felony violation of:
        (1) Section 401, 401.1, 405, or 405.2 of the Illinois
    Controlled Substances Act;
        (2) Section 5, 5.1, or 5.2 of the Cannabis Control
    Act; or
        (3) Section 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 56, or
    65 of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection
    Act.
the defendant is charged with a Class 2 or greater felony
violation of:
            (A) Section 401, 401.1, 405, or 405.2 of the
        Illinois Controlled Substances Act;
            (B) Section 5, 5.1, or 5.2 of the Cannabis Control
        Act;
            (C) Section 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 56,
        or 65 of the Methamphetamine Control and Community
        Protection Act; or
        (2) the defendant has previously, on 3 or more
    occasions, either completed a drug court program, been
    discharged from a drug court program, or been terminated
    from a drug court program.
(Source: P.A. 99-480, eff. 9-9-15.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/25)
    Sec. 25. Procedure.
    (a) A The court shall order an eligibility screening and
clinical needs an assessment and risk assessment of the
defendant shall be performed as required by the court's
policies and procedures prior to the defendant's admission
into a drug court. The clinical needs assessment shall be
conducted in accordance with the Department of Human Services
substance use prevention and recovery rules under 77 Ill. Adm.
Code 2060. The assessment shall include, but is not limited
to, assessments of substance use and mental and behavioral
health needs. The assessment shall be administered by
individuals approved under the Department of Human Services
substance use prevention and recovery rules for professional
staff under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060 and used to inform any
clinical treatment plans. Clinical treatment plans shall be
developed in accordance with the Problem-Solving Court
Standards and in part upon the known availability of treatment
resources.
    Any risk assessment shall be performed using an assessment
tool approved by the Administrative Office of the Illinois
Courts and as required by the court's policies and procedures.
by an agent designated by the State of Illinois to provide
assessment services for the Illinois Courts.
     An assessment need not be ordered if the court finds a
valid assessment related to the present charge pending against
the defendant has been completed within the previous 60 days.
    (b) The judge shall inform the defendant that if the
defendant fails to meet the conditions of the drug court
program, eligibility to participate in the program may be
revoked and the defendant may be sentenced or the prosecution
continued as provided in the Unified Code of Corrections for
the crime charged.
    (c) The defendant shall execute a written agreement as to
his or her participation in the program and shall agree to all
of the terms and conditions of the program, including but not
limited to the possibility of sanctions or incarceration for
failing to abide or comply with the terms of the program.
    (d) In addition to any conditions authorized under the
Pretrial Services Act and Section 5-6-3 of the Unified Code of
Corrections, the court may order the participant to complete
mental health counseling or substance use disorder treatment
in an outpatient or residential treatment program and may
order the participant to comply with physicians'
recommendations regarding medications and all follow-up
treatment for any mental health diagnosis made by the
provider. Substance use disorder treatment programs must be
licensed by the Department of Human Services in accordance
with the Department of Human Services substance use prevention
and recovery rules, or an equivalent standard in any other
state where the treatment may take place, and use
evidence-based treatment. When referring participants to
mental health treatment programs, the court shall prioritize
providers certified as community mental health or behavioral
health centers if possible. The court shall consider the least
restrictive treatment option when ordering mental health or
substance use disorder treatment for participants and the
results of clinical and risk assessments in accordance with
the Problem-Solving Court Standards. defendant to complete
substance abuse treatment in an outpatient, inpatient,
residential, or jail-based custodial treatment program. Any
period of time a defendant shall serve in a jail-based
treatment program may not be reduced by the accumulation of
good time or other credits and may be for a period of up to 120
days.
    (e) The drug court program shall include a regimen of
graduated requirements, including and rewards and sanctions,
including but not limited to: fines, fees, costs, restitution,
incarceration of up to 180 days, individual and group therapy,
substance drug analysis testing, close monitoring by the
court, restitution, at a minimum of once every 30 days and
supervision of progress, educational or vocational counseling
as appropriate, and other requirements necessary to fulfill
the drug court program. Program phases, therapeutic
adjustments, incentives, and sanctions, including the use of
jail sanctions, shall be administered in accordance with
evidence-based practices and the Problem-Solving Court
Standards. A participant's failure to pay program fines or
fees shall not prevent the participant from advancing phases
or successfully completing the program. If the participant
defendant needs treatment for an opioid use disorder abuse or
dependence, the court may not prohibit the participant
defendant from participating in and receiving
medication-assisted medication assisted treatment under the
care of a physician licensed in this State to practice
medicine in all of its branches. Drug court participants may
not be required to refrain from using medication-assisted
medication assisted treatment as a term or condition of
successful completion of the drug court program.
    (f) Recognizing that individuals struggling with mental
health, substance use, and related co-occurring disorders have
often experienced trauma, drug court programs may include
specialized service programs specifically designed to address
trauma. These specialized services may be offered to
individuals admitted to the drug court program. Judicial
circuits establishing these specialized programs shall partner
with advocates, survivors, and service providers in the
development of the programs. Trauma-informed services and
programming shall be operated in accordance with
evidence-based best practices as outlined by the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National
Center for Trauma-Informed Care.
    (g) The court may establish a mentorship program that
provides access and support to program participants by peer
recovery coaches. Courts shall be responsible to administer
the mentorship program with the support of mentors and local
mental health and substance use disorder treatment
organizations.
(Source: P.A. 99-554, eff. 1-1-17.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/30)
    Sec. 30. Mental health and substance use disorder
Substance abuse treatment.
    (a) The drug court program shall maintain a network of
substance use disorder abuse treatment programs representing a
continuum of graduated substance use disorder abuse treatment
options commensurate with the needs of the participant
defendants.
    (b) Any substance use disorder abuse treatment program to
which participants defendants are referred must hold a valid
license from the Department of Human Services Division of
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, use evidence-based
treatment, and deliver all services in accordance with 77 Ill.
Adm. Code 2060, including services available through the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois
Department of Veterans' Affairs, or Veterans Assistance
Commission, or an equivalent standard in any other state where
treatment may take place meet all of the rules and governing
programs in Parts 2030 and 2060 of Title 77 of the Illinois
Administrative Code.
    (c) The drug court program may, at its discretion, employ
additional services or interventions, as it deems necessary on
a case by case basis.
    (d) The drug court program may maintain or collaborate
with a network of mental health treatment programs
representing a continuum of treatment options commensurate
with the needs of the participant and available resources,
including programs with the State and community-based programs
supported and sanctioned by the State. Partnerships with
providers certified as mental health or behavioral health
centers shall be prioritized when possible.
(Source: P.A. 92-58, eff. 1-1-02.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/35)
    Sec. 35. Violation; termination; dismissal from program
discharge.
    (a) If the court finds from the evidence presented,
including, but not limited to, the reports or proffers of
proof from the drug court professionals, that: (1) the
participant is not complying with the requirements of the
treatment program; or (2) the participant has otherwise
violated the terms and conditions of the program, the court
may impose reasonable sanctions under the prior written
agreement of the participant, including, but not limited to,
imprisonment or dismissal of the participant from the program,
and the court may reinstate criminal proceedings against the
participant or proceed under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code
of Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
discharge, or supervision hearing. If the court finds from the
evidence presented including but not limited to the reports or
proffers of proof from the drug court professionals that:
        (1) the defendant is not performing satisfactorily in
    the assigned program;
        (2) the defendant is not benefitting from education,
    treatment, or rehabilitation;
        (3) the defendant has engaged in criminal conduct
    rendering him or her unsuitable for the program; or
        (4) the defendant has otherwise violated the terms and
    conditions of the program or his or her sentence or is for
    any reason unable to participate;
the court may impose reasonable sanctions under prior written
agreement of the defendant, including but not limited to
imprisonment or dismissal of the defendant from the program
and the court may reinstate criminal proceedings against him
or her or proceed under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of
Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
discharge, or supervision hearing.
    (a-5) Based on the evidence presented, the court shall
determine whether the participant has violated the conditions
of the program and whether the participant should be dismissed
from the program or whether, pursuant to the court's policies
and procedures, some other alternative may be appropriate in
the interests of the participant and the public.
    (a-10) A participant defendant who is assigned to a
substance use disorder abuse treatment program under this Act
for an opioid use disorder abuse or dependence is not in
violation of the terms or conditions of the program on the
basis of his or her participation in medication-assisted
medication assisted treatment under the care of a physician
licensed in this State to practice medicine in all of its
branches.
    (a-15) A participant may voluntarily withdraw from the
drug court program in accordance with the drug court program's
policies and procedures. Prior to allowing the participant to
withdraw, the judge shall:
        (1) ensure that the participant has the right to
    consult with counsel prior to withdrawal;
        (2) determine in open court that the withdrawal is
    made voluntarily and knowingly; and
        (3) admonish the participant in open court as to the
    consequences, actual or potential, which can result from
    withdrawal.
    Upon withdrawal, the criminal proceedings may be
reinstated against the participant or proceedings may be
initiated under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of
Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
discharge, or supervision hearing.
    (a-20) No participant may be dismissed from the program
unless, prior to dismissal, the participant is informed in
writing:
        (1) of the reason or reasons for the dismissal;
        (2) the evidentiary basis supporting the reason or
    reasons for the dismissal; and
        (3) that the participant has a right to a hearing at
    which the participant may present evidence supporting the
    participant's continuation in the program.
    (a-25) A participant who has not violated the conditions
of the program in such a way as to warrant unsuccessful
dismissal, but who is unable to complete program requirements
to qualify for a successful discharge, may be terminated from
the program as a neutral discharge.
    (b) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions
of the program, the court may dismiss the original charges
against the participant defendant or successfully terminate
the participant's defendant's sentence or otherwise discharge
the participant him or her from any further proceedings
against the participant him or her in the original
prosecution.
    (c) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions
of the program, any State's Attorney in the county of
conviction, participant, or defense attorney may move to
vacate any convictions that are eligible for sealing under the
Criminal Identification Act. A participant may immediately
file a petition to expunge vacated convictions and the
associated underlying records per the Criminal Identification
Act. If the State's Attorney moves to vacate a conviction, the
State's Attorney may not object to expungement of that
conviction or the underlying record.
    (d) The drug court program may maintain or collaborate
with a network of legal aid organizations that specialize in
conviction relief to support participants navigating the
expungement and sealing process.
(Source: P.A. 99-554, eff. 1-1-17.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/40)
    Sec. 40. Education seminars for judges. A judge assigned
to preside over a drug treatment court shall have experience,
training, and continuing education in topics including, but
not limited to:
    (1) criminal law;
    (2) behavioral health;
    (3) confidentiality;
    (4) ethics;
    (5) evidence-based practices;
    (6) substance use disorders;
    (7) mental illness;
    (8) co-occurring disorders; and
    (9) presiding over various types of problem-solving
courts. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall
conduct education seminars for judges throughout the State on
how to operate drug court programs with a specific emphasis on
cases involving the illegal possession of methamphetamine.
(Source: P.A. 94-552, eff. 8-12-05.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/45)
    Sec. 45. Education seminars for drug court prosecutors.
Subject to appropriation, the Office of the State's Attorneys
Appellate Prosecutor shall conduct mandatory education
seminars on the subjects of substance abuse and addiction for
all drug court prosecutors throughout the State to ensure that
the problem-solving court maintains fidelity to the
problem-solving court model. Topics include, but are not
limited to, evidence-based screening, assessment and treatment
practices, target population, substance use disorders, mental
illness, disability, co-occurring disorders, trauma,
confidentiality, criminogenic risks and needs, incentives and
sanctions, court processes, limited English proficiency, and
team dynamics.
(Source: P.A. 99-480, eff. 9-9-15.)
 
    (730 ILCS 166/50)
    Sec. 50. Education seminars for drug court public
defenders. Subject to appropriation, the Office of the State
Appellate Defender shall conduct mandatory education seminars
on the subjects of substance abuse and addiction for all drug
court public defenders and assistant public defenders
practicing in drug courts throughout the State to ensure that
the problem-solving court maintains fidelity to the
problem-solving court model. Topics include, but are not
limited to, evidence-based screening, assessment and treatment
practices, target population, substance use disorders, mental
illness, disability, co-occurring disorders, trauma,
confidentiality, criminogenic risks and needs, incentives and
sanctions, court processes, limited English proficiency, and
team dynamics.
(Source: P.A. 99-480, eff. 9-9-15.)
 
    Section 10. The Veterans and Servicemembers Court
Treatment Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 10, 15, 20,
25, 30, and 35 and by adding Sections 40, 45, and 50 as
follows:
 
    (730 ILCS 167/5)
    Sec. 5. Purposes. The General Assembly recognizes that
veterans and active servicemembers, including , Reserve and
National Guard servicemembers, have provided or are currently
providing an invaluable service to our country. Some veterans
and active duty servicemembers In so doing, some may suffer
from the effects of their service, including, but not limited
to, post-traumatic post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic
brain injury, depression and may also suffer drug and alcohol
dependency or addiction and co-occurring mental illness and
substance use disorder abuse problems. As a result of this,
some veterans or active duty servicemembers come into contact
with the criminal justice system and are charged with felony
or misdemeanor offenses. There is a critical need for the
criminal justice system to recognize these veterans, provide
accountability for their wrongdoing, provide for the safety of
the public, and provide for the treatment of such our
veterans. It is the intent of the General Assembly to create
specialized veteran and servicemember courts in accordance
with evidence-based practices and Problem-Solving Court
Standards for addressing substance use, mental health, and
co-occurring disorders or programs with the necessary
flexibility to meet the specialized needs for an array of
services and supports among participants in certified veteran
and servicemember court programs in the State problems faced
by these veteran and servicemember defendants.
(Source: P.A. 96-924, eff. 6-14-10.)
 
    (730 ILCS 167/10)
    Sec. 10. Definitions. In this Act:
    "Certification" means the process by which a
problem-solving court obtains approval from the Supreme Court
to operate in accordance with the Problem-Solving Court
Standards.
    "Clinical treatment plan" means an evidence-based,
comprehensive, and individualized plan that: (i) is developed
by a qualified professional in accordance with the Department
of Human Services substance use prevention and recovery rules
under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060 or an equivalent standard in any
state where treatment may take place; and (ii) defines the
scope of treatment services to be delivered by a court
treatment provider.
    "Combination Veterans and Servicemembers court program"
means a type of problem-solving court that allows an
individual to enter a problem-solving court before a plea,
conviction, or disposition while also permitting an individual
who has admitted guilt, or been found guilty, to enter a
problem-solving court as a part of the individual's sentence
or disposition. "Combination Veterans and Servicemembers Court
program" means a court program that includes a
pre-adjudicatory and a post-adjudicatory Veterans and
Servicemembers court program.
    "Community behavioral health center" means a physical site
where behavioral healthcare services are provided in
accordance with the Community Behavioral Health Center
Infrastructure Act.
    "Community mental health center" means an entity:
        (1) licensed by the Department of Public Health as a
    community mental health center in accordance with the
    conditions of participation for community mental health
    centers established by the Centers for Medicare and
    Medicaid Services; and
        (2) that provides outpatient services, including
    specialized outpatient services, for individuals who are
    chronically mental ill.
    "Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
court program" means a program that includes an individual
with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder
diagnoses and professionals with training and experience in
treating individuals with diagnoses of substance use disorder
and mental illness.
    "Court" means veterans and servicemembers court Veterans
and Servicemembers Court.
    "IDVA" means the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.
    "Peer recovery coach" means a volunteer veteran mentor as
defined nationally by Justice for Vets and assigned to a
veteran or servicemember during participation in a veteran
treatment court program who has been approved by the court,
and trained according to curriculum recommended by Justice for
Vets, a service provider used by the court for substance use
disorder or mental health treatment, a local service provider
with an established peer recovery coach or mentor program not
otherwise used by the court for treatment, or a Certified
Recovery Support Specialist certified by the Illinois
Certification Board. "Peer recovery coach" includes
individuals with lived experiences of the issues the
problem-solving court seeks to address, including, but not
limited to, substance use disorder, mental illness, and
co-occurring disorders or involvement with the criminal
justice system. "Peer recovery coach" includes individuals
required to guide and mentor the participant to successfully
complete assigned requirements and to facilitate participants'
independence for continued success once the supports of the
court are no longer available to them. and certified by the
court to guide and mentor the participant to successfully
complete the assigned requirements.
    "Post-adjudicatory veterans and servicemembers court
program Veterans and Servicemembers Court Program" means a
program that allows a defendant who in which the defendant has
admitted guilt or has been found guilty and agrees, with the
defendant's consent, and the approval of the court, along with
the prosecution, to enter a veterans and servicemembers court
Veterans and Servicemembers Court program as part of the
defendant's sentence or disposition.
    "Pre-adjudicatory veterans and servicemembers court
program Veterans and Servicemembers Court Program" means a
program that allows the defendant, with the defendant's
consent and the approval of the court, to enter the Veterans
and Servicemembers Court program before plea, conviction, or
disposition with the consent of the prosecution, to expedite
the defendant's criminal case before conviction or before
filing of a criminal case and requires successful completion
of the Veterans and Servicemembers Court programs as part of
the agreement.
    "Problem-Solving Court Standards" means the statewide
standards adopted by the Supreme Court that set forth the
minimum requirements for the planning, establishment,
certification, operation, and evaluation of all
problem-solving courts in this State.
    "Servicemember" means a person who is currently serving in
the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard on active
duty, reserve status or in the National Guard.
    "VA" means the United States Department of Veterans'
Affairs.
    "VAC" means a veterans assistance commission.
    "Validated clinical assessment" means a validated
assessment tool administered by a qualified clinician to
determine the treatment needs of participants. "Validated
clinical assessment" includes assessment tools required by
public or private insurance.
    "Veteran" means a person who previously served as an in
the active servicemember military, naval, or air service and
who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions
other than dishonorable.
    "Veterans and servicemembers court Servicemembers Court
professional" means a member of the veterans and
servicemembers court Veterans and Servicemembers Court team,
including, but not limited to, a judge, prosecutor, defense
attorney, probation officer, coordinator, treatment provider,
or peer recovery coach.
    "Veterans and servicemembers court", "veterans and
servicemembers court program", "court", or "program" means a
specially designated court, court calendar, or docket
facilitating intensive therapeutic treatment to monitor and
assist veteran or servicemember participants with substance
use disorder, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, or other
assessed treatment needs of eligible veteran and servicemember
participants and in making positive lifestyle changes and
reducing the rate of recidivism. Veterans and servicemembers
court programs are nonadversarial in nature and bring
Servicemembers Court" means a court or program with an
immediate and highly structured judicial intervention process
for substance abuse treatment, mental health, or other
assessed treatment needs of eligible veteran and servicemember
defendants that brings together substance use disorder abuse
professionals, mental health professionals, VA professionals,
local social programs, and intensive judicial monitoring in
accordance with the nationally recommended 10 key components
of veterans treatment courts and the Problem-Solving Court
Standards. Common features of a veterans and servicemembers
court program include, but are not limited to, a designated
judge and staff; specialized intake and screening procedures;
coordinated treatment procedures administered by a trained,
multidisciplinary professional team; close evaluation of
participants, including continued assessments and modification
of the court requirements and use of sanctions, incentives,
and therapeutic adjustments to address behavior; frequent
judicial interaction with participants; less formal court
process and procedures; voluntary participation; and a low
treatment staff-to-client ratio drug courts.
(Source: P.A. 99-314, eff. 8-7-15; 99-819, eff. 8-15-16.)
 
    (730 ILCS 167/15)
    Sec. 15. Authorization.
    (a) The Chief Judge of each judicial circuit may shall
establish a veterans Veterans and servicemembers court
Servicemembers Court program in compliance with the
Problem-Solving Court Standards including a format under which
it operates under this Act. The veterans Veterans and
servicemembers court Servicemembers Court may, at the
discretion of the Chief Judge, be a separate court or a program
of a problem-solving court, including, but not limited to, a
drug court, or mental health court, or a court for individuals
with either substance use, mental health, or co-occurring
disorders. At the discretion of the Chief Judge, the Veterans
and Servicemembers Court program may be operated in one or
more counties in the Circuit, and allow veteran and
servicemember defendants from all counties within the Circuit
to participate.
    (b) Whenever the county boards of 2 or more counties
within the same judicial circuit determine that a single
veteran and servicemembers court program would best serve
those counties, the county board of each such county may adopt
a resolution to the effect that there shall be a single veteran
and servicemembers court program serving those counties, and
shall provide a copy of the resolution to the Chief Judge of
the judicial circuit. Upon receipt of those resolutions, the
Chief Judge may establish or, in the case of an existing
veteran and servicemembers court program, reorganize a single
program to serve those counties.
(Source: P.A. 99-807, eff. 1-1-18; 100-88, eff. 1-1-18.)
 
    (730 ILCS 167/20)
    Sec. 20. Eligibility. Veterans and servicemembers
Servicemembers are eligible for veterans Veterans and
servicemembers courts Servicemembers Courts, provided the
following:
    (a) A defendant, who is eligible for probation based on
the nature of the crime convicted of and in consideration of
his or her criminal background, if any, may be admitted into a
Veterans and Servicemembers Court program before adjudication
only upon the agreement of the defendant and with the approval
of the Court. A defendant may be admitted into a veterans
Veterans and servicemembers court Servicemembers Court program
post-adjudication only upon the consent of the defendant and
with the approval of the court. A defendant agrees to be
admitted when a written consent to participate is provided to
the court in open court and the defendant acknowledges
understanding of its contents.
    (a-5) Each veterans and servicemembers court shall have a
target population defined in its written policies and
procedures. The policies and procedures shall define that
court's eligibility and exclusionary criteria.
    (b) A defendant shall be excluded from Veterans and
Servicemembers Court program if any of one of the following
applies:
        (1) The crime is a crime of violence as set forth in
    paragraph clause (3) of this subsection (b).
        (2) The defendant does not demonstrate a willingness
    to participate in a treatment program.
        (3) The defendant has been convicted of a crime of
    violence within the past 5 10 years excluding
    incarceration time, parole, and periods of mandatory
    supervised release. As used in this paragraph, "crime of
    violence" means: , including first degree murder, second
    degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault of a
    child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual
    assault, armed robbery, aggravated arson, arson,
    aggravated kidnapping and kidnapping, aggravated battery
    resulting in great bodily harm or permanent disability,
    aggravated domestic battery resulting in great bodily harm
    or permanent disability, aggravated criminal sexual abuse
    by a person in a position of trust or authority over a
    child, stalking, aggravated stalking, home invasion,
    aggravated vehicular hijacking, or any offense involving
    the discharge of a firearm.
        (4) The defendant is charged with a violation of
    subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of
    Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code in which an
    individual is charged with aggravated driving under the
    influence that resulted in the death of another person or
    when the violation was a proximate cause of the death,
    unless, pursuant to subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) of
    subsection (d) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle
    Code, the court determines that extraordinary
    circumstances exist and require probation. (Blank).
        (5) (Blank).
        (6)(Blank). The sentence imposed on the defendant,
    whether the result of a plea or a finding of guilt, renders
    the defendant ineligible for probation.
    (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the defendant may be
admitted into a veterans and servicemembers court program only
upon the agreement of the prosecutor if the defendant is
charged with a Class 2 or greater felony violation of:
            (1) Section 401, 401.1, 405, or 405.2 of the
        Illinois Controlled Substances Act;
            (2) Section 5, 5.1, or 5.2 of the Cannabis Control
        Act; or
            (3) Section 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 56,
        or 65 of the Methamphetamine Control and Community
        Protection Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-426, eff. 1-1-18; 101-652, eff. 7-1-21.)
 
    (730 ILCS 167/25)
    Sec. 25. Procedure.
    (a) A The Court shall order the defendant to submit to an
eligibility screening and clinical needs and an assessment and
risk assessment of the defendant shall be performed as
required by the court's policies and procedures prior to the
defendant's admission into a veteran and servicemembers court.
The assessment shall be conducted through the VA, VAC, and/or
the IDVA to provide information on the defendant's veteran or
servicemember status.
    Any risk assessment shall be performed using an assessment
tool approved by the Administrative Office of the Illinois
Courts and as required by the court's policies and procedures.
    (b) A The Court shall order the defendant to submit to an
eligibility screening and mental health and substance use
disorder drug/alcohol screening and assessment of the
defendant shall be performed by the VA, VAC, or by the IDVA, or
as otherwise outlined and as required by the court's policies
and procedures to provide assessment services for Illinois
Courts. The assessment shall include, but is not limited to,
assessments of substance use and mental and behavioral health
needs. The clinical needs assessment shall be administered by
a qualified professional of the VA, VAC, or IDVA, or
individuals who meet the Department of Human Services
substance use prevention and recovery rules for professional
staff under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060, or an equivalent standard
in any other state where treatment may take place, and used to
inform any clinical treatment plans. Clinical treatment plans
shall be developed, in accordance with the Problem-Solving
Court Standards and a risks assessment and be based, in part,
upon the known availability of treatment resources available
to the veterans Veterans and servicemembers court
Servicemembers Court. The assessment shall also include
recommendations for treatment of the conditions which are
indicating a need for treatment under the monitoring of the
Court and be reflective of a level of risk assessed for the
individual seeking admission. An assessment need not be
ordered if the court Court finds a valid screening or and/or
assessment related to the present charge pending against the
defendant has been completed within the previous 60 days.
    (c) The judge shall inform the defendant that if the
defendant fails to meet the conditions of the veterans
Veterans and servicemembers court Servicemembers Court
program, eligibility to participate in the program may be
revoked and the defendant may be sentenced or the prosecution
continued as provided in the Unified Code of Corrections for
the crime charged.
    (d) The defendant shall execute a written agreement with
the court Court as to the defendant's his or her participation
in the program and shall agree to all of the terms and
conditions of the program, including but not limited to the
possibility of sanctions or incarceration for failing to abide
or comply with the terms of the program.
    (e) In addition to any conditions authorized under the
Pretrial Services Act and Section 5-6-3 of the Unified Code of
Corrections, the court Court may order the participant to
complete mental health counseling or substance use disorder
treatment in an outpatient or residential treatment program
and may order the participant to comply with physicians'
recommendations regarding medications and all follow-up
treatment for any mental health diagnosis made by the
provider. Substance use disorder treatment programs must be
licensed by the Department of Human Services in accordance
with the Department of Human Services substance use prevention
and recovery rules, or an equivalent standard in any other
state where the treatment may take place, and use
evidence-based treatment. When referring participants to
mental health treatment programs, the court shall prioritize
providers certified as community mental health or behavioral
health centers if possible. The court shall consider the least
restrictive treatment option when ordering mental health or
substance use disorder treatment for participants and the
results of clinical and risk assessments in accordance with
the Problem-Solving Court Standards. defendant to complete
substance abuse treatment in an outpatient, inpatient,
residential, or jail-based custodial treatment program, order
the defendant to complete mental health counseling in an
inpatient or outpatient basis, comply with physicians'
recommendation regarding medications and all follow up
treatment. This treatment may include but is not limited to
post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and
depression.
    (e-5) The veterans and servicemembers court shall include
a regimen of graduated requirements, including individual and
group therapy, substance analysis testing, close monitoring by
the court, supervision of progress, restitution, educational
or vocational counseling as appropriate, and other
requirements necessary to fulfill the veterans and
servicemembers court program. Program phases, therapeutic
adjustments, incentives, and sanctions, including the use of
jail sanctions, shall be administered in accordance with
evidence-based practices and the Problem-Solving Court
Standards. If the participant needs treatment for an opioid
use disorder or dependence, the court may not prohibit the
participant from receiving medication-assisted treatment under
the care of a physician licensed in this State to practice
medicine in all of its branches. Veterans and servicemembers
court participants may not be required to refrain from using
medication-assisted treatment as a term or condition of
successful completion of the veteran and servicemembers court
program.
    (e-10) Recognizing that individuals struggling with mental
health, substance use, and related co-occurring disorders have
often experienced trauma, veterans and servicemembers court
programs may include specialized service programs specifically
designed to address trauma. These specialized services may be
offered to individuals admitted to the veterans and
servicemembers court program. Judicial circuits establishing
these specialized programs shall partner with advocates,
survivors, and service providers in the development of the
programs. Trauma-informed services and programming shall be
operated in accordance with evidence-based best practices as
outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service
Administration's National Center for Trauma-Informed Care
(SAMHSA).
    (f) The Court may establish a mentorship program that
provides access and support to program participants by peer
recovery coaches. Courts shall be responsible to administer
the mentorship program with the support of volunteer veterans
and local veteran service organizations, including a VAC. Peer
recovery coaches shall be trained and certified by the Court
prior to being assigned to participants in the program.
(Source: P.A. 99-314, eff. 8-7-15; 99-819, eff. 8-15-16.)
 
    (730 ILCS 167/30)
    Sec. 30. Mental health and substance use disorder abuse
treatment.
    (a) The veterans Veterans and servicemembers court
Servicemembers Court program may maintain a network of
substance use disorder abuse treatment programs representing a
continuum of graduated substance use disorder abuse treatment
options commensurate with the needs of participants
defendants; these shall include programs with the VA, IDVA, a
VAC, the State, of Illinois and community-based programs
supported and sanctioned by either or both.
    (b) Any substance use disorder abuse treatment program to
which participants defendants are referred must hold a valid
license from the Department of Human Services Division of
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, use evidence-based
treatment, and deliver all services in accordance with 77 Ill.
Adm. code 2060, including services available through the VA,
IDVA or VAC, or an equivalent standard in any other state where
treatment may take place meet all of the rules and governing
programs in Parts 2030 and 2060 of Title 77 of the Illinois
Administrative Code.
    (c) The veterans Veterans and servicemembers court
Servicemembers Court program may, in its discretion, employ
additional services or interventions, as it deems necessary on
a case by case basis.
    (d) The veterans Veterans and servicemembers court
Servicemembers Court program may maintain or collaborate with
a network of mental health treatment programs and, if it is a
co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders abuse
court program, a network of substance use disorder abuse
treatment programs representing a continuum of treatment
options commensurate with the needs of the participant
defendant and available resources including programs with the
VA, the IDVA, a VAC, and the State of Illinois. When not using
mental health treatment or services available through the VA,
IDVA, or VAC, partnerships with providers certified as
community mental health or behavioral health centers shall be
prioritized, as possible.
(Source: P.A. 99-819, eff. 8-15-16.)
 
    (730 ILCS 167/35)
    Sec. 35. Violation; termination; dismissal from the
program discharge.
    (a) If the court finds from the evidence presented,
including, but not limited to, the reports or proffers of
proof from the veterans and servicemembers court
professionals, that: (1) the participant is not complying with
the requirements of the treatment program; or (2) the
participant has otherwise violated the terms and conditions of
the program, the court may impose reasonable sanctions under
the prior written agreement of the participant, including, but
not limited to, imprisonment or dismissal of the participant
from the program and the court may reinstate criminal
proceedings against the participant or proceed under Section
5-6-4 of the Unified Code of Corrections for a violation of
probation, conditional discharge, or supervision hearing. If
the Court finds from the evidence presented including but not
limited to the reports or proffers of proof from the Veterans
and Servicemembers Court professionals that:
        (1) the defendant is not performing satisfactorily in
    the assigned program;
        (2) the defendant is not benefitting from education,
    treatment, or rehabilitation;
        (3) the defendant has engaged in criminal conduct
    rendering him or her unsuitable for the program; or
        (4) the defendant has otherwise violated the terms and
    conditions of the program or his or her sentence or is for
    any reason unable to participate; the Court may impose
    reasonable sanctions under prior written agreement of the
    defendant, including but not limited to imprisonment or
    dismissal of the defendant from the program and the Court
    may reinstate criminal proceedings against him or her or
    proceed under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of
    Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
    discharge, or supervision hearing.
    (a-5) Based on the evidence presented, the court shall
determine whether the participant has violated the conditions
of the program and whether the participant should be dismissed
from the program or whether, pursuant to the court's policies
and procedures, some other alternative may be appropriate in
the interests of the participant and the public.
    (a-10) A participant who is assigned to a substance use
disorder treatment program under this Act for an opioid use
disorder is not in violation of the terms or conditions of the
program on the basis of participation in medication-assisted
treatment under the care of a physician licensed in this State
to practice medicine in all of its branches.
    (a-15) A participant may voluntarily withdraw from the
veterans and servicemembers court program in accordance with
the program's policies and procedures. Prior to allowing the
participant to withdraw, the judge shall:
            (1) ensure that the participant has the right to
        consult with counsel prior to withdrawal;
            (2) determine in open court that the withdrawal is
        made voluntarily and knowingly; and
            (3) admonish the participant in open court as to
        the consequences, actual or potential, which can
        result from withdrawal.
    Upon withdrawal, the criminal proceedings may be
reinstated against the participant or proceedings may be
initiated under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of
Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
discharge, or supervision hearing.
    (a-20) A participant who has not violated the conditions
of the program in such a way as to warrant unsuccessful
dismissal, but who is unable to complete program requirements
to qualify for a successful discharge, may be terminated from
the program as a neutral discharge.
    (b) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions
of the program, the court Court may dismiss the original
charges against the participant defendant or successfully
terminate the participant's defendant's sentence or otherwise
discharge the participant him or her from any further
proceedings against the participant him or her in the original
prosecution.
    (c) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions
of the program, any State's Attorney in the county of
conviction, a participant, or defense attorney may move to
vacate any convictions that are eligible for sealing under the
Criminal Identification Act. A participant may immediately
file a petition to expunge vacated convictions and the
associated underlying records per the Criminal Identification
Act. If the State's Attorney moves to vacate a conviction, the
State's Attorney may not object to expungement of that
conviction or the underlying record.
    (d) Veterans and servicemembers court programs may
maintain or collaborate with a network of legal aid
organizations that specialize in conviction relief to support
participants navigating the expungement and sealing process.
(Source: P.A. 96-924, eff. 6-14-10.)
 
    (730 ILCS 167/40 new)
    Sec. 40. Education for judges. A judge assigned to preside
over a veteran and servicemembers court shall have experience,
training, and continuing education in topics including, but
not limited to:
        (1) criminal law;
        (2) behavioral health;
        (3) confidently;
        (4) ethics;
        (5) evidence-based practices;
        (6) substance use disorders;
        (7) mental illness;
        (8) co-occurring disorders; and
        (9) presiding over various types of problem-solving
    courts.
 
    (730 ILCS 167/45 new)
    Sec. 45. Education seminars for veterans and
servicemembers court prosecutors. Subject to appropriation,
the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor shall
conduct mandatory education seminars for all prosecutors
serving in veterans and servicemembers courts throughout the
State to ensure that the problem-solving court maintains
fidelity to the problem-solving court model. Topics include,
but are not limited to, evidence-based screening, assessment
and treatment practices, target population, substance use
disorders, mental illness, disability, co-occurring disorders,
trauma, confidentiality, criminogenic risks and needs,
incentives and sanctions, court processes, limited English
proficiency, military culture and language, and team dynamics.
 
    (730 ILCS 167/50 new)
    Sec. 50. Education seminars for veteran and servicemembers
court public defenders. Subject to appropriation, the Office
of the State Appellate Defender shall conduct mandatory
education seminars for all public defenders and assistant
public defenders practicing in veterans and servicemembers
courts throughout the State to ensure that the problem-solving
court maintains fidelity to the problem-solving court model.
Topics include, but are not limited to, evidence-based
screening, assessment and training practices, target
population, substance use disorders, mental illness,
disability, co-occurring disorders, trauma, confidentiality,
criminogenic risks and needs, incentives and sanctions, court
processes, limited English proficiency, military culture and
language, and team dynamics.
 
    Section 15. The Mental Health Court Treatment Act is
amended by changing Sections 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 and
by adding Sections 41, 45, and 50 as follows:
 
    (730 ILCS 168/5)
    Sec. 5. Purposes. The General Assembly recognizes that
individuals with diagnosable mental illness may come into
contact with the criminal justice system and be charged with
felony or misdemeanor offenses a large percentage of criminal
defendants have a diagnosable mental illness and that mental
illnesses have a dramatic effect on the criminal justice
system in the State of Illinois. The General Assembly also
recognizes that mental illness and substance use disorders
abuse problems co-occur in a substantial percentage of
criminal defendants. There is a critical need for the a
criminal justice system to recognize individuals struggling
with these issues, provide alternatives to incarceration to
address mental illness, and provide appropriate access to
treatment and support to such individuals. program that will
reduce the number of persons with mental illnesses and with
co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse problems in
the criminal justice system, reduce recidivism among persons
with mental illness and with co-occurring mental illness and
substance abuse problems, provide appropriate treatment to
persons with mental illnesses and co-occurring mental illness
and substance abuse problems and reduce the incidence of
crimes committed as a result of mental illnesses or
co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse problems. It
is the intent of the General Assembly to create specialized
mental health courts in accordance with evidence-based
practices and Problem-Solving Court Standards for addressing
substance use and co-occurring disorders with the necessary
flexibility to meet the needs for an array of services and
supports among participants in certified mental health court
programs problems of criminal defendants with mental illnesses
and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse problems
in the State of Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 95-606, eff. 6-1-08.)
 
    (730 ILCS 168/10)
    Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
    "Certification" means the process by which a
problem-solving court obtains approval from the Supreme Court
to operate in accordance with the Problem-Solving Court
Standards.
    "Clinical treatment plan" means an evidence-based,
comprehensive, and individualized plan that: (i) is developed
by a qualified professional in accordance with Department of
Human Services substance use prevention and recovery rules
under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060 or an equivalent standard in any
state where treatment may take place; and (ii) defines the
scope of treatment services to be delivered by a court
treatment provider.
    "Combination mental health court program" means a type of
problem-solving court that allows an individual to enter a
problem-solving court before a plea, conviction, or
disposition while also permitting an individual who has
admitted guilt, or been found guilty, to enter a
problem-solving court as a part of the individual's sentence
or disposition.
    "Community behavioral health center" means a physical site
where behavioral healthcare services are provided in
accordance with the Community Behavioral Health Center
Infrastructure Act.
    "Community mental health center" means an entity:
        (1) licensed by the Department of Public Health as a
    community mental health center in accordance with the
    conditions of participation for community mental health
    centers established by the Centers for Medicare and
    Medicaid Services; and
        (2) that provides outpatient services, including
    specialized outpatient services, for individuals who are
    chronically mental ill.
    "Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
court program" means a program that includes an individual
with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder
diagnoses and professionals with training and experience in
treating individuals with diagnoses of substance use disorder
and mental illness.
    "Mental health court", "mental health court program",
"court", or "program" means a specially designated court,
court calendar, or docket facilitating intensive therapeutic
treatment to monitor and assist participants with mental
illness in making positive lifestyle changes and reducing the
rate of recidivism. Mental health court programs are
nonadversarial in nature and bring together mental health
professionals and local social programs in accordance with the
Bureau of Justice Assistance and Council of State Governments
Justice Center's Essential Elements of a Mental Health Court
and the Problem-Solving Court Standards. Common features of a
mental health court program include, but are not limited to, a
designated judge and staff; specialized intake and screening
procedures; coordinated treatment procedures administered by a
trained, multidisciplinary professional team; close evaluation
of participants, including continued assessments and
modification of the court requirements and use of sanctions,
incentives, and therapeutic adjustments to address behavior;
frequent judicial interaction with participants; less formal
court process and procedures; voluntary participation; and a
low treatment staff-to-client ratio. structured judicial
intervention process for mental health treatment of eligible
defendants that brings together mental health professionals,
local social programs, and intensive judicial monitoring.
    "Mental health court professional" means a member of the
mental health court team, including but not limited to a
judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, probation officer,
coordinator, or treatment provider, or peer recovery coach.
    "Peer recovery coach" means a mentor assigned to a
defendant during participation in a mental health treatment
court program who has been trained by the court, a service
provider used by the court for substance use disorder or
mental health treatment, a local service provider with an
established peer recovery coach or mentor program not
otherwise used by the court for treatment, or a Certified
Recovery Support Specialist certified by the Illinois
Certification Board. "Peer recovery coach" includes
individuals with lived experiences of the issues the
problem-solving court seeks to address, including, but not
limited to, substance use disorder, mental illness, and
co-occurring disorders or involvement with the criminal
justice system. "Peer recovery coach" includes individuals
required to guide and mentor the participant to successfully
complete assigned requirements and to facilitate participants'
independence for continued success once the supports of the
court are no longer available to them.
    "Post-adjudicatory mental health court program" means a
program that allows an individual who has admitted guilt or
has been found guilty, with the defendant's consent, and the
approval of the court, to enter a mental health court program
as part of the defendant's sentence or disposition.
    "Pre-adjudicatory mental health court program" means a
program that allows the defendant, with the defendant's
consent and the approval of the court, to enter the mental
health court program before plea, conviction, or disposition
and requires successful completion of the mental health court
program as part of the agreement.
    "Problem-Solving Court Standards" means the statewide
standards adopted by the Supreme Court that set forth the
minimum requirements for the planning, establishment,
certification, operation, and evaluation of all
problem-solving courts in this State.
    "Validated clinical assessment" means a validated
assessment tool administered by a qualified clinician to
determine the treatment needs of participants. "Validated
clinical assessment" includes assessment tools required by
public or private insurance.
    "Pre-adjudicatory mental health court program" means a
program that allows the defendant, with the consent of the
prosecution, to expedite the defendant's criminal case before
conviction or before filing of a criminal case and requires
successful completion of the mental health court program as
part of the agreement.
    "Post-adjudicatory mental health court program" means a
program in which the defendant has admitted guilt or has been
found guilty and agrees, along with the prosecution, to enter
a mental health court program as part of the defendant's
sentence.
    "Combination mental health court program" means a mental
health court program that includes a pre-adjudicatory mental
health court program and a post-adjudicatory mental health
court program.
    "Co-occurring mental health and substance abuse court
program" means a program that includes persons with
co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse problems. Such
programs shall include professionals with training and
experience in treating persons with substance abuse problems
and mental illness.
(Source: P.A. 97-946, eff. 8-13-12.)
 
    (730 ILCS 168/15)
    Sec. 15. Authorization.
    (a) The Chief Judge of each judicial circuit may establish
a mental health court program, in compliance with the
Problem-Solving Court Standards. At the discretion of the
Chief Judge, the mental health court program may be operated
in one or more counties of the circuit and allow defendants
from all counties within the circuit to participate. Mental
health court programs must be certified by the Supreme Court
including the format under which it operates under this Act.
    (b) Whenever the county boards of 2 or more counties
within the same judicial circuit determine that a single
mental health court program would best serve those counties,
the county board of each such county may adopt a resolution to
the effect that there shall be a single mental health court
program serving those counties, and shall provide a copy of
the resolution to the Chief Judge of the judicial circuit.
Upon receipt of such a resolution, the Chief Judge may
establish or, in the case of an existing mental health court
program, reorganize a single mental health court program to
serve these counties.
(Source: P.A. 95-606, eff. 6-1-08.)
 
    (730 ILCS 168/20)
    Sec. 20. Eligibility.
    (a) A defendant, who is eligible for probation based on
the nature of the crime convicted of and in consideration of
his or her criminal background, if any, may be admitted into a
mental health court program only upon the consent agreement of
the defendant and with the approval of the court. A defendant
agrees to be admitted when a written consent to participate is
provided to the court in open court and the defendant
acknowledges understanding its contents.
    (a-5) Each mental health court shall have a target
population defined in its written policies and procedures. The
policies and procedures shall define that court's eligibility
and exclusionary criteria.
    (b) A defendant shall be excluded from a mental health
court program if any one of the following applies:
        (1) The crime is a crime of violence as set forth in
    paragraph clause (3) of this subsection (b).
        (2) The defendant does not demonstrate a willingness
    to participate in a treatment program.
        (3) The defendant has been convicted of a crime of
    violence within the past 5 10 years excluding
    incarceration time, parole, and periods of mandatory
    supervised release. As used in this paragraph (3), "crime
    of violence" means: first degree murder, second degree
    murder, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child,
    aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual
    assault, armed robbery, aggravated arson, arson,
    aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping, aggravated battery
    resulting in great bodily harm or permanent disability,
    aggravated domestic battery resulting in great bodily harm
    or permanent disability, aggravated criminal sexual abuse
    by a person in a position of trust or authority over a
    child, stalking, aggravated stalking, home invasion,
    aggravated vehicular hijacking, or any offense involving
    the discharge of a firearm.
        (4) The defendant is charged with a violation of
    subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of
    Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code in which an
    individual is charged with aggravated driving under the
    influence that resulted in the death of another person or
    when the violation was a proximate cause of the death,
    unless, pursuant to subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) of
    subsection (d) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle
    Code, the court determines that extraordinary
    circumstances exist and require probation. (Blank).
        (5) (Blank).
        (6) (Blank). The sentence imposed on the defendant,
    whether the result of a plea or a finding of guilt, renders
    the defendant ineligible for probation.
    (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the defendant may be
admitted into a mental health court program only upon the
agreement of the prosecutor if the defendant is charged with a
Class 2 or greater felony violation of:
        (1) Section 401, 401.1, 405, or 405.2 of the Illinois
    Controlled Substances Act;
        (2) Section 5, 5.1, or 5.2 of the Cannabis Control
    Act; or
        (3) Section 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 56, or
    65 of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection
    Act.
    A defendant charged with prostitution under Section 11-14
of the Criminal Code of 2012 may be admitted into a mental
health court program, if available in the jurisdiction and
provided that the requirements in subsections (a) and (b) are
satisfied. Mental health court programs may include
specialized service programs specifically designed to address
the trauma associated with prostitution and human trafficking,
and may offer those specialized services to defendants
admitted to the mental health court program. Judicial circuits
establishing these specialized programs shall partner with
prostitution and human trafficking advocates, survivors, and
service providers in the development of the programs.
(Source: P.A. 100-426, eff. 1-1-18; 101-652, eff. 7-1-21.)
 
    (730 ILCS 168/25)
    Sec. 25. Procedure.
    (a) An The court shall require an eligibility screening
and an assessment of the defendant shall be performed as
required by the court's policies and procedures. The
assessment shall include a validated clinical assessment. The
clinical assessment shall include, but is not limited to,
assessments of substance use and mental and behavioral health
needs. The clinical assessment shall be administered by a
qualified professional and used to inform any clinical
treatment plans. Clinical treatment plans shall be developed,
in part, upon the known availability of treatment resources
available. Assessments for substance use disorder shall be
conducted in accordance with the Department of Human Services
substance use prevention and recovery rules contained in 77
Ill. Adm. Code 2060 or an equivalent standard in any other
state where treatment may take place, and conducted by
individuals who meet the Department of Human Services
substance use prevention and recovery rules for professional
staff also contained within that Code, or an equivalent
standard in any other state where treatment may take place.
The assessments shall be used to inform any clinical treatment
plans. Clinical treatment plans shall be developed in
accordance with Problem-Solving Court Standards and, in part,
upon the known availability of treatment resources. An
assessment need not be ordered if the court finds a valid
assessment related to the present charge pending against the
defendant has been completed within the previous 60 days.
    (b) The judge shall inform the defendant that if the
defendant fails to meet the conditions requirements of the
mental health court program, eligibility to participate in the
program may be revoked and the defendant may be sentenced or
the prosecution continued, as provided in the Unified Code of
Corrections, for the crime charged.
    (c) The defendant shall execute a written agreement as to
his or her participation in the program and shall agree to all
of the terms and conditions of the program, including but not
limited to the possibility of sanctions or incarceration for
failing to abide or comply with the terms of the program.
    (d) In addition to any conditions authorized under the
Pretrial Services Act and Section 5-6-3 of the Unified Code of
Corrections, the court may order the participant to complete
mental health counseling or substance use disorder treatment
in an outpatient or residential treatment program and may
order the participant to comply with physicians'
recommendations regarding medications and all follow-up
treatment for any mental health diagnosis made by the
provider. Substance use disorder treatment programs must be
licensed by the Department of Human Services in accordance
with the Department of Human Services substance use prevention
and recovery rules, or an equivalent standard in any other
state where the treatment may take place, and use
evidence-based treatment. When referring participants to
mental health treatment programs, the court shall prioritize
providers certified as community mental health or behavioral
health centers if possible. The court shall consider the least
restrictive treatment option when ordering mental health or
substance use disorder treatment for participants and the
results of clinical and risk assessments in accordance with
the Problem-Solving Court Standards. defendant to complete
mental health or substance abuse treatment in an outpatient,
inpatient, residential, or jail-based custodial treatment
program. Any period of time a defendant shall serve in a
jail-based treatment program may not be reduced by the
accumulation of good time or other credits and may be for a
period of up to 120 days.
    (e) The mental health court program shall may include a
regimen of graduated requirements, including and rewards and
sanctions, including but not limited to: fines, fees, costs,
restitution, incarceration of up to 180 days, individual and
group therapy, medication, substance drug analysis testing,
close monitoring by the court, and supervision of progress,
restitution, educational or vocational counseling as
appropriate, and other requirements necessary to fulfill the
mental health court program. Program phases, therapeutic
adjustments, incentives, and sanctions, including the use of
jail sanctions, shall be administered in accordance with
evidence-based practices and the Problem-Solving Court
Standards. A participant's failure to pay program fines or
fees shall not prevent the participant from advancing phases
or successfully completing the program. If the participant
needs treatment for an opioid use disorder or dependence, the
court may not prohibit the participant from receiving
medication-assisted treatment under the care of a physician
licensed in this State to practice medicine in all of its
branches. Mental health court participants may not be required
to refrain from using medication-assisted treatment as a term
or condition of successful completion of the mental health
court program.
    (f) The mental health court program may maintain or
collaborate with a network of mental health treatment programs
and, if it is a co-occurring mental health and substance use
disorders court program, a network of substance use disorder
treatment programs representing a continuum of treatment
options commensurate with the needs of the participant and
available resources, including programs of this State.
    (g) Recognizing that individuals struggling with mental
health, addiction, and related co-occurring disorders have
often experienced trauma, mental health court programs may
include specialized service programs specifically designed to
address trauma. These specialized services may be offered to
individuals admitted to the mental health court program.
Judicial circuits establishing these specialized programs
shall partner with advocates, survivors, and service providers
in the development of the programs. Trauma-informed services
and programming shall be operated in accordance with
evidence-based best practices as outlined by the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National
Center for Trauma-Informed Care.
    (h) The court may establish a mentorship program that
provides access and support to program participants by peer
recovery coaches. Courts shall be responsible to administer
the mentorship program with the support of mentors and local
mental health and substance use disorder treatment
organizations.
(Source: P.A. 95-606, eff. 6-1-08.)
 
    (730 ILCS 168/30)
    Sec. 30. Mental health and substance use disorder abuse
treatment.
    (a) The mental health court program may maintain or
collaborate with a network of mental health treatment programs
and, if it is a co-occurring mental health and substance use
disorders abuse court program, a network of substance use
disorder abuse treatment programs representing a continuum of
treatment options commensurate with the needs of participants
defendants and available resources.
    (b) Any substance use disorder abuse treatment program to
which participants defendants are referred must hold a valid
license from the Department of Human Services Division of
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, use evidence-based
treatment, and deliver all services in accordance with 77 Ill.
Adm. Code 2060, including services available through the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois
Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Veterans Assistance
Commission, or an equivalent standard in any other state where
treatment may take place meet all of the rules and governing
programs in Parts 2030 and 2060 of Title 77 of the Illinois
Administrative Code.
    (c) The mental health court program may, at its
discretion, employ additional services or interventions, as it
deems necessary on a case by case basis.
(Source: P.A. 95-606, eff. 6-1-08.)
 
    (730 ILCS 168/35)
    Sec. 35. Violation; termination; dismissal from program
discharge.
     (a) If the court finds from the evidence presented,
including, but not limited to, the reports or proffers of
proof from the mental health court professionals, that: (1)
the participant is not complying with the requirements of the
treatment program; or (2) the participant has otherwise
violated the terms and conditions of the program, the court
may impose reasonable sanctions under the prior written
agreement of the participant, including, but not limited to,
imprisonment or dismissal of the defendant from the program
and the court may reinstate criminal proceedings against the
participant or proceed under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code
of Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
discharge, or supervision hearing. If the court finds from the
evidence presented, including but not limited to the reports
or proffers of proof from the mental health court
professionals that:
        (1) the defendant is not performing satisfactorily in
    the assigned program;
        (2) the defendant is not benefiting from education,
    treatment, or rehabilitation;
        (3) the defendant has engaged in criminal conduct
    rendering him or her unsuitable for the program; or
        (4) the defendant has otherwise violated the terms and
    conditions of the program or his or her sentence or is for
    any reason unable to participate;
the court may impose reasonable sanctions under prior written
agreement of the defendant, including but not limited to
imprisonment or dismissal of the defendant from the program;
and the court may reinstate criminal proceedings against him
or her or proceed under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of
Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
discharge, or supervision hearing.
    (a-5) Based on the evidence presented, the court shall
determine whether the participant has violated the conditions
of the program and whether the participant should be dismissed
from the program or whether, pursuant to the court's policies
and procedures, some other alternative may be appropriate in
the interests of the participant and the public.
    (a-10) A participant may voluntarily withdraw from the
mental health court program in accordance with the mental
health court program's policies and procedures. Prior to
allowing the participant to withdraw, the judge shall:
            (1) ensure that the participant has the right to
        consult with counsel prior to withdrawal;
            (2) determine in open court that the withdrawal is
        made voluntarily and knowingly; and
            (3) admonish the participant in open court, as to
        the consequences, actual or potential, which can
        result from withdrawal.
    Upon withdrawal, the criminal proceedings may be
reinstated against the participant or proceedings may be
initiated under Section 5-6-4 of the Unified Code of
Corrections for a violation of probation, conditional
discharge, or supervision hearing.
    (a-15) No participant defendant may be dismissed from the
program unless, prior to such dismissal, the participant
defendant is informed in writing: (i) of the reason or reasons
for the dismissal; (ii) the evidentiary basis supporting the
reason or reasons for the dismissal; (iii) that the
participant defendant has a right to a hearing at which he or
she may present evidence supporting his or her continuation in
the program. Based upon the evidence presented, the court
shall determine whether the defendant has violated the
conditions of the program and whether the defendant should be
dismissed from the program or whether some other alternative
may be appropriate in the interests of the defendant and the
public.
    (a-20) A participant who has not violated the conditions
of the program in such a way as to warrant unsuccessful
dismissal, but who is unable to complete program requirements
to qualify for a successful discharge, may be terminated from
the program as a neutral discharge.
    (b) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions
of the program, the court may dismiss the original charges
against the participant defendant or successfully terminate
the participant's defendant's sentence or otherwise discharge
the participant him or her from the program or from any further
proceedings against the participant him or her in the original
prosecution.
    (c) Upon successful completion of the terms and conditions
of the program, any State's Attorney in the county of
conviction, a participant, or defense attorney may move to
vacate any convictions that are eligible for sealing under the
Criminal Identification Act. A participant may immediately
file a petition to expunge vacated convictions and the
associated underlying records per the Criminal Identification
Act. If the State's Attorney moves to vacate a conviction, the
State's Attorney may not object to expungement of that
conviction or the underlying record.
    (d) The mental health court program may maintain or
collaborate with a network of legal aid organizations that
specialize in conviction relief to support participants
navigating the expungement and sealing process.
(Source: P.A. 95-606, eff. 6-1-08.)
 
    (730 ILCS 168/41 new)
    Sec. 41. Education seminars for judges. A judge assigned
to preside over a mental health court shall have experience,
training, and continuing education in topics including, but
not limited to:
        (1) criminal law;
        (2) behavioral health;
        (3) confidently;
        (4) ethics;
        (5) evidence-based practices;
        (6) substance use disorders;
        (7) mental illness;
        (8) co-occurring disorders; and
        (9) presiding over various types of problem-solving
    courts.
 
    (730 ILCS 168/45 new)
    Sec. 45. Education seminars for mental health court
prosecutors. Subject to appropriation, the Office of the
State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor shall conduct mandatory
education seminars for all prosecutors serving in mental
health courts throughout the State to ensure that the
problem-solving court maintains fidelity to the
problem-solving court model. Topics include, but are not
limited to, evidence-based screening, assessment and treatment
practices, target population, substance use disorders, mental
illness, disability, co-occurring disorders, trauma,
confidentiality, criminogenic risks and needs, incentives and
sanctions, court processes, limited English proficiency, and
team dynamics.
 
    (730 ILCS 168/50 new)
    Sec. 50. Education seminars for mental health court public
defenders. Subject to appropriation, the Office of the State
Appellate Defender shall conduct mandatory education seminars
for all public defenders and assistant public defenders
practicing in mental health courts throughout the State to
ensure that the problem-solving court maintains fidelity to
the problem-solving court model. Topics include, but are not
limited to, evidence-based screening, assessment and treatment
practices, target population, substance use disorders, mental
illness, disability, co-occurring disorders, trauma,
confidentiality, criminogenic risks and needs, incentives and
sanctions, court processes, limited English proficiency, and
team dynamics.
 
    (730 ILCS 168/40 rep.)
    Section 20. The Mental Health Court Treatment Act is
amended by repealing Section 40.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.