Connecticut Senate Bill SB00507

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/19
• Refer: 1/24/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Commitment Of Individuals Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Mental Defect Or Disease.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly impact the legal framework surrounding mental health considerations in the criminal justice system. It emphasizes a more restrictive approach to the commitment of individuals who cannot stand trial due to mental health issues, limiting their time of commitment to what they would have faced under a guilty verdict. This could lead to a notable shift in how mental health cases are processed in the judicial system by prioritizing the notion of time and consequences typically associated with criminal behavior.

Summary

SB00507, titled 'An Act Concerning Commitment Of Individuals Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Mental Defect Or Disease', aims to modify existing laws governing the commitment of individuals adjudged not guilty due to mental defects or diseases. The bill proposes that the duration of commitment be limited to the maximum incarceration period corresponding to the crime for which the individual was accused. This change seeks to establish a clearer link between the time of commitment and the potential time in prison that the individual would have faced had they been found guilty.

Contention

There are potential points of contention surrounding this bill, especially in terms of civil liberties and the rights of individuals with mental health issues. Critics may argue that limiting commitments based on potential incarceration time could unjustly penalize these individuals, while proponents likely contend that it balances public safety concerns with the rights of the accused. Furthermore, the stipulation that the state must prove the necessity of any extended commitments may also spur debate on the adequacy and fairness of evaluations under the law.