Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0338 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
2	2	1
3	3	Commitment Amendments
4	4	2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	5	STATE OF UTAH
6	6	Chief Sponsor: Nelson T. Abbott
7	7	Senate Sponsor:
8	8	2
9	9
10	10	3
11	11	LONG TITLE
12	12	4
13	13	General Description:
14	14	5
15	15	This bill addresses the commitment of individuals in relation to civil, criminal, and juvenile
16	16	6
17	17	proceedings.
18	18	7
19	19	Highlighted Provisions:
20	20	8
21	21	This bill:
22	22	9
23	23	▸ defines terms;
24	24	10
25	25	▸ amends provisions relating to the rights and privileges to which an individual is entitled
26	26	11
27	27	when under commitment to the custody or to the treatment services of a local mental
28	28	12
29	29	health authority;
30	30	13
31	31	▸ provides when there is a conflict in the opinions of forensic evaluators, if a party seeks an
32	32	14
33	33	additional competency evaluation then that party is responsible for selecting the
34	34	15
35	35	evaluator and paying the cost of the evaluator;
36	36	16
37	37	▸ amends provisions and clarifies the process regarding the release from a secured setting
38	38	17
39	39	of a defendant determined to be incompetent to proceed;
40	40	18
41	41	▸ clarifies when the Department of Health and Human Services is required to provide an
42	42	19
43	43	updated juvenile competency evaluation after an attainment period; and
44	44	20
45	45	▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
46	46	21
47	47	Money Appropriated in this Bill:
48	48	22
49	49	None
50	50	23
51	51	Other Special Clauses:
52	52	24
53	53	None
54	54	25
55	55	Utah Code Sections Affected:
56	56	26
57	57	AMENDS:
58	58	27
59	59	26B-5-301, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 308
60	60	28
61	61	26B-5-310, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 308
62	62	29
63	63	26B-5-322, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 184 and renumbered and
64	64	30
65	65	amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 308
66	66	H.B. 338 H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
67	67	31
68	68	26B-5-362, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 308
69	69	32
70	70	26B-5-371, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 184 and renumbered and
71	71	33
72	72	amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 308
73	73	34
74	74	77-15-5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 171, 417 and last amended by
75	75	35
76	76	Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 417
77	77	36
78	78	77-15-6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 174
79	79	37
80	80	77-19-203, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 137
81	81	38
82	82	77-29-3, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1980, Chapter 15
83	83	39
84	84	80-6-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 330
85	85	40
86	86
87	87	41
88	88	Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
89	89	42
90	90	Section 1. Section 26B-5-301 is amended to read:
91	91	43
92	92	26B-5-301 . Definitions.
93	93	44
94	94	As used in this part, Part 4, Commitment of Persons Under Age 18, and Part 5, Essential
95	95	45
96	96	Treatment and Intervention:
97	97	46
98	98	(1) "Adult" means an individual 18 years old or older.
99	99	47
100	100	(2) "Approved treatment facility or program" means a mental health or substance use
101	101	48
102	102	treatment provider that meets the goals and measurements described in Subsection
103	103	49
104	104	26B-5-102(2)(j).
105	105	50
106	106	(3) "Assisted outpatient treatment" means involuntary outpatient mental health treatment
107	107	51
108	108	ordered under Section 26B-5-351.
109	109	52
110	110	(4) "Attending physician" means a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state who
111	111	53
112	112	has primary responsibility for the care and treatment of the declarant.
113	113	54
114	114	(5) "Attorney-in-fact" means an adult properly appointed under this part to make mental
115	115	55
116	116	health treatment decisions for a declarant under a declaration for mental health treatment.
117	117	56
118	118	(6) "Commitment to the custody of a local mental health authority" means that an adult is
119	119	57
120	120	committed to the custody of the local mental health authority that governs the mental
121	121	58
122	122	health catchment area where the adult resides or is found.
123	123	59
124	124	(7) "Community mental health center" means an entity that provides treatment and services
125	125	60
126	126	to a resident of a designated geographical area, that operates by or under contract with a
127	127	61
128	128	local mental health authority, and that complies with state standards for community
129	129	62
130	130	mental health centers.
131	131	63
132	132	(8) "Designated examiner" means:
133	133	64
134	134	(a) a licensed physician, preferably a psychiatrist, who is designated by the division as
135	135	- 2 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
136	136	65
137	137	specially qualified by training or experience in the diagnosis of mental or related
138	138	66
139	139	illness; or
140	140	67
141	141	(b) a licensed mental health professional designated by the division as specially qualified
142	142	68
143	143	by training and who has at least five years' continual experience in the treatment of
144	144	69
145	145	mental illness.
146	146	70
147	147	(9) "Designee" means a physician who has responsibility for medical functions including
148	148	71
149	149	admission and discharge, an employee of a local mental health authority, or an employee
150	150	72
151	151	of a person that has contracted with a local mental health authority to provide mental
152	152	73
153	153	health services under Section 17-43-304.
154	154	74
155	155	(10) "Essential treatment" and "essential treatment and intervention" mean court-ordered
156	156	75
157	157	treatment at a local substance abuse authority or an approved treatment facility or
158	158	76
159	159	program for the treatment of an adult's substance use disorder.
160	160	77
161	161	(11) "Harmful sexual conduct" means the following conduct upon an individual without the
162	162	78
163	163	individual's consent, including the nonconsensual circumstances described in
164	164	79
165	165	Subsections 76-5-406(2)(a) through (l):
166	166	80
167	167	(a) sexual intercourse;
168	168	81
169	169	(b) penetration, however slight, of the genital or anal opening of the individual;
170	170	82
171	171	(c) any sexual act involving the genitals or anus of the actor or the individual and the
172	172	83
173	173	mouth or anus of either individual, regardless of the gender of either participant; or
174	174	84
175	175	(d) any sexual act causing substantial emotional injury or bodily pain.
176	176	85
177	177	(12) "Informed waiver" means the patient was informed of a right and, after being informed
178	178	86
179	179	of that right and the patient's right to waive the right, expressly communicated his or her
180	180	87
181	181	intention to waive that right.
182	182	88
183	183	(13) "Incapable" means that, in the opinion of the court in a guardianship proceeding under
184	184	89
185	185	Title 75, Utah Uniform Probate Code, or in the opinion of two physicians, a person's
186	186	90
187	187	ability to receive and evaluate information effectively or communicate decisions is
188	188	91
189	189	impaired to such an extent that the person currently lacks the capacity to make mental
190	190	92
191	191	health treatment decisions.
192	192	93
193	193	(14) "Institution" means a hospital or a health facility licensed under Section 26B-2-206.
194	194	94
195	195	(15) "Lay person" means an individual identified and authorized by a patient to participate
196	196	95
197	197	in activities related to the patient's commitment, including court appearances, discharge
198	198	96
199	199	planning, and grievances, except that a patient may revoke a lay person's authorization at
200	200	97
201	201	any time.
202	202	98
203	203	(16) "Local substance abuse authority" means the same as that term is defined in Section
204	204	- 3 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
205	205	99
206	206	26B-5-101 and described in Section 17-43-201.
207	207	100
208	208	[(16)] (17) "Mental health facility" means the Utah State Hospital or other facility that
209	209	101
210	210	provides mental health services under contract with the division, a local mental health
211	211	102
212	212	authority, a person that contracts with a local mental health authority, or a person that
213	213	103
214	214	provides acute inpatient psychiatric services to a patient.
215	215	104
216	216	[(17)] (18) "Mental health officer" means an individual who is designated by a local mental
217	217	105
218	218	health authority as qualified by training and experience in the recognition and
219	219	106
220	220	identification of mental illness, to:
221	221	107
222	222	(a) apply for and provide certification for a temporary commitment; or
223	223	108
224	224	(b) assist in the arrangement of transportation to a designated mental health facility.
225	225	109
226	226	[(18)] (19) "Mental illness" means:
227	227	110
228	228	(a) a psychiatric disorder that substantially impairs an individual's mental, emotional,
229	229	111
230	230	behavioral, or related functioning; or
231	231	112
232	232	(b) the same as that term is defined in:
233	233	113
234	234	(i) the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
235	235	114
236	236	published by the American Psychiatric Association; or
237	237	115
238	238	(ii) the current edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and
239	239	116
240	240	Related Health Problems.
241	241	117
242	242	[(19)] (20) "Mental health treatment" means convulsive treatment, treatment with
243	243	118
244	244	psychoactive medication, or admission to and retention in a facility for a period not to
245	245	119
246	246	exceed 17 days.
247	247	120
248	248	[(20)] (21) "Patient" means an individual who is:
249	249	121
250	250	(a) under commitment to the custody or to the treatment services of a local mental health
251	251	122
252	252	authority; or
253	253	123
254	254	(b) undergoing essential treatment and intervention.
255	255	124
256	256	[(21)] (22) "Physician" means an individual who is:
257	257	125
258	258	(a) licensed as a physician under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act; or
259	259	126
260	260	(b) licensed as a physician under Title 58, Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical
261	261	127
262	262	Practice Act.
263	263	128
264	264	[(22)] (23) "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that involves a substantial risk of
265	265	129
266	266	death, unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or
267	267	130
268	268	protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental
269	269	131
270	270	faculty.
271	271	132
272	272	[(23)] (24) "State hospital" means the Utah State Hospital established in Section 26B-5-302.
273	273	- 4 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
274	274	133
275	275	[(24)] (25) "Substantial danger" means that due to mental illness, an individual is at serious
276	276	134
277	277	risk of:
278	278	135
279	279	(a) suicide;
280	280	136
281	281	(b) serious bodily self-injury;
282	282	137
283	283	(c) serious bodily injury because the individual is incapable of providing the basic
284	284	138
285	285	necessities of life, including food, clothing, or shelter;
286	286	139
287	287	(d) causing or attempting to cause serious bodily injury to another individual;
288	288	140
289	289	(e) engaging in harmful sexual conduct; or
290	290	141
291	291	(f) if not treated, suffering severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress
292	292	142
293	293	that:
294	294	143
295	295	(i) is associated with significant impairment of judgment, reason, or behavior; and
296	296	144
297	297	(ii) causes a substantial deterioration of the individual's previous ability to function
298	298	145
299	299	independently.
300	300	146
301	301	[(25)] (26) "Treatment" means psychotherapy, medication, including the administration of
302	302	147
303	303	psychotropic medication, or other medical treatments that are generally accepted
304	304	148
305	305	medical or psychosocial interventions for the purpose of restoring the patient to an
306	306	149
307	307	optimal level of functioning in the least restrictive environment.
308	308	150
309	309	Section 2. Section 26B-5-310 is amended to read:
310	310	151
311	311	26B-5-310 . Restrictions and limitations -- Rights and privileges.
312	312	152
313	313	(1) Subject to the general rules of the division, and except to the extent that the director or [
314	314	153
315	315	his] the director's designee determines that it is necessary for the welfare of the patient to
316	316	154
317	317	impose restrictions, every patient is entitled to:
318	318	155
319	319	(a)(i) communicate, by sealed mail or otherwise, with persons, including official
320	320	156
321	321	agencies, inside or outside the [facility] responsible mental health authority, local
322	322	157
323	323	substance abuse authority, or approved treatment facility or program;
324	324	158
325	325	(ii) be provided with letter-writing materials, including postage; and
326	326	159
327	327	(iii) have staff of the responsible mental health authority, local substance abuse
328	328	160
329	329	authority, or approved treatment facility or program assist the patient if the patient
330	330	161
331	331	is unable to write, prepare, or mail correspondence;
332	332	162
333	333	(b) have frequent and consistent opportunities to receive visitors at reasonable times that
334	334	163
335	335	do not interfere with clinical activities;[ and]
336	336	164
337	337	(c) speak or visit with the patient's attorney or clergy member within a reasonable period
338	338	165
339	339	of time;
340	340	166
341	341	(d) exercise all civil rights, including the right to dispose of property, execute
342	342	- 5 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
343	343	167
344	344	instruments, make purchases, enter contractual relationships, and vote, unless the
345	345	168
346	346	patient has been adjudicated to be incompetent and has not been restored to legal
347	347	169
348	348	capacity[.] ;
349	349	170
350	350	(e) have access to adequate water and food, and to have the patient's nutritional needs
351	351	171
352	352	met in a manner that is consistent with recognized dietary practices;
353	353	172
354	354	(f) be treated fairly, with respect and recognition of the patient's dignity and
355	355	173
356	356	individuality;
357	357	174
358	358	(g) not be discriminated against on the basis of a characteristic identified in Subsection
359	359	175
360	360	57-21-5(1);
361	361	176
362	362	(h) within 72 business hours after the patient's request, see and receive the services of a
363	363	177
364	364	patient representative, including a peer specialist or patient advocate, who is not
365	365	178
366	366	involved in the direct clinical care of the patient;
367	367	179
368	368	(i) have the patient's behavioral health orders for scope of treatment, declaration for
369	369	180
370	370	mental health treatment, or other psychiatric advance directive reviewed and
371	371	181
372	372	considered as the preferred treatment option for involuntary administration of
373	373	182
374	374	medications by the responsible local mental health authority, local substance abuse
375	375	183
376	376	authority, or approved treatment facility or program, unless by clear and convincing
377	377	184
378	378	evidence the patient's directive does not qualify as effective participation in
379	379	185
380	380	behavioral health decision-making;
381	381	186
382	382	(j) with the patient's consent, have the patient's information or records disclosed to an
383	383	187
384	384	adult family member, the patient's lay person, or, in accordance with state and federal
385	385	188
386	386	law, to a protection and advocacy system designated pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec.
387	387	189
388	388	10801 et seq.;
389	389	190
390	390	(k)(i) access to a telephone to make and receive private calls, unless determined a
391	391	191
392	392	clinical or safety risk; and
393	393	192
394	394	(ii) staff assistance to be able to communicate with others, if the patient does not have
395	395	193
396	396	a contact list;
397	397	194
398	398	(l) wear the patient's own clothes, keep and use the patient's own possessions, and keep
399	399	195
400	400	and be allowed to spend a reasonable amount of the patient's own money, unless
401	401	196
402	402	deemed a clinical or safety risk; and
403	403	197
404	404	(m) be told:
405	405	198
406	406	(i) the reason for the patient's detainment and the limitation of the patient's
407	407	199
408	408	detainment, including a description of the patient's right to refuse medication
409	409	200
410	410	unless the patient requires emergency medications; and
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412	412	201
413	413	(ii) that the patient's commitment does not mean all treatment during commitment is
414	414	202
415	415	mandatory.
416	416	203
417	417	(2)(a) When any right of a patient is limited or denied, the nature, extent, and reason for
418	418	204
419	419	that limitation or denial shall be entered in the patient's treatment record.
420	420	205
421	421	(b) Information pertaining to a denial of any right of a patient shall be made available,
422	422	206
423	423	upon request, to the patient, the patient's attorney, and the patient's lay person.
424	424	207
425	425	(c) Any continuing denial or limitation of any right of a patient shall be reviewed every
426	426	208
427	427	30 days and shall also be entered in [that] the patient's treatment record.
428	428	209
429	429	(d) Notice of [that] a continuing denial of any right of a patient in excess of 30 days shall
430	430	210
431	431	be sent to the division, the [appropriate] responsible local mental health authority, the
432	432	211
433	433	appropriate local substance abuse authority, or an approved treatment facility or
434	434	212
435	435	program[, whichever is most applicable to the patient].
436	436	213
437	437	[(3) Notwithstanding any limitations authorized under this section on the right of
438	438	214
439	439	communication, each patient is entitled to communicate by sealed mail with the
440	440	215
441	441	appropriate local mental health authority, the appropriate local substance abuse
442	442	216
443	443	authority, an approved treatment facility or program, the division, the patient's attorney,
444	444	217
445	445	and the court, if any, that ordered the patient's commitment or essential treatment. In no
446	446	218
447	447	case may the patient be denied a visit with the legal counsel or clergy of the patient's
448	448	219
449	449	choice.]
450	450	220
451	451	[(4)] (3) Local mental health authorities, local substance abuse authorities, and approved
452	452	221
453	453	treatment facilities or programs shall provide reasonable means and arrangements for
454	454	222
455	455	informing involuntary patients of their right to release as provided in this chapter, and
456	456	223
457	457	for assisting them in making and presenting requests for release.
458	458	224
459	459	[(5)] (4) [Mental] Local mental health facilities, local substance abuse authorities, and
460	460	225
461	461	approved treatment facilities or programs shall post a statement, created by the division,
462	462	226
463	463	describing a patient's rights under Utah law.
464	464	227
465	465	[(6)] (5) A local mental health authority, local substance abuse authority, or approved
466	466	228
467	467	treatment facility or program may not intentionally retaliate or discriminate against a
468	468	229
469	469	detained patient or employee for contacting or providing information to any official or to
470	470	230
471	471	an employee of any state protection and advocacy agency or for initiating, participating
472	472	231
473	473	in, or testifying in a grievance procedure or in an action for any remedy authorized
474	474	232
475	475	pursuant to this section.
476	476	233
477	477	(6) Notwithstanding Section 53B-17-303, an individual committed under this chapter has
478	478	234
479	479	the right to determine the final disposition of that individual's body after death.
480	480	- 7 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
481	481	235
482	482	Section 3. Section 26B-5-322 is amended to read:
483	483	236
484	484	26B-5-322 . Criminal's escape -- Penalty.
485	485	237
486	486	Any person committed to the state hospital under the provisions of [Title 77, Chapter 15,
487	487	238
488	488	Inquiry into Sanity of Defendant] Title 77, Chapter 15, Defendant's Competency to Proceed, or
489	489	239
490	490	Chapter 16a, Commitment and Treatment of Individuals with a Mental Condition, who escapes
491	491	240
492	492	or leaves the state hospital without proper legal authority is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
493	493	241
494	494	Section 4. Section 26B-5-362 is amended to read:
495	495	242
496	496	26B-5-362 . Commitment and care of criminally insane.
497	497	243
498	498	Nothing contained in this part may be construed to alter or change the method presently
499	499	244
500	500	employed for the commitment and care of the criminally insane as provided in [Title 77,
501	501	245
502	502	Chapter 15, Inquiry into Sanity of Defendant] Title 77, Chapter 15, Defendant's Competency to
503	503	246
504	504	Proceed.
505	505	247
506	506	Section 5. Section 26B-5-371 is amended to read:
507	507	248
508	508	26B-5-371 . Utah Forensic Mental Health Facility -- Design and operation --
509	509	249
510	510	Security.
511	511	250
512	512	(1) The forensic mental health facility is a secure treatment facility.
513	513	251
514	514	(2)(a) The forensic mental health facility accommodates the following populations:
515	515	252
516	516	(i) prison inmates displaying mental illness necessitating treatment in a secure mental
517	517	253
518	518	health facility;
519	519	254
520	520	(ii) criminally adjudicated persons found guilty with a mental illness or guilty with a
521	521	255
522	522	mental condition at the time of the offense undergoing evaluation for a mental
523	523	256
524	524	condition under Title 77, Chapter 16a, Commitment and Treatment of Individuals
525	525	257
526	526	with a Mental Condition;
527	527	258
528	528	(iii) criminally adjudicated persons undergoing evaluation for competency or found
529	529	259
530	530	guilty with a mental condition or guilty with a mental condition at the time of the
531	531	260
532	532	offense under Title 77, Chapter 16a, Commitment and Treatment of Individuals
533	533	261
534	534	with a Mental Condition, who also have an intellectual disability;
535	535	262
536	536	(iv) persons undergoing evaluation for competency or found by a court to be
537	537	263
538	538	incompetent to proceed in accordance with [Title 77, Chapter 15, Inquiry into
539	539	264
540	540	Sanity of Defendant] Title 77, Chapter 15, Defendant's Competency to Proceed, or
541	541	265
542	542	not guilty by reason of insanity under Title 77, Chapter 14, Defenses;
543	543	266
544	544	(v) persons who are civilly committed to the custody of a local mental health
545	545	267
546	546	authority in accordance with this part, and who may not be properly supervised by
547	547	268
548	548	the Utah State Hospital because of a lack of necessary security, as determined by
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550	550	269
551	551	the superintendent or the superintendent's designee; and
552	552	270
553	553	(vi) persons ordered to commit themselves to the custody of the division for
554	554	271
555	555	treatment at the Utah State Hospital as a condition of probation or stay of sentence
556	556	272
557	557	pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 18, The Judgment.
558	558	273
559	559	(b) Placement of an offender in the forensic mental health facility under any category
560	560	274
561	561	described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii), (iii), (iv), or (vi) shall be made on the basis of the
562	562	275
563	563	offender's status as established by the court at the time of adjudication.
564	564	276
565	565	(c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
566	566	277
567	567	department shall make rules providing for the allocation of beds to the categories
568	568	278
569	569	described in Subsection (2)(a).
570	570	279
571	571	(3) The department shall:
572	572	280
573	573	(a) own and operate the forensic mental health facility;
574	574	281
575	575	(b) provide and supervise administrative and clinical staff; and
576	576	282
577	577	(c) provide security staff who are trained as psychiatric technicians.
578	578	283
579	579	(4) Pursuant to Subsection 26B-5-303(3) the executive director shall designate individuals
580	580	284
581	581	to perform security functions for the state hospital.
582	582	285
583	583	Section 6. Section 77-15-5 is amended to read:
584	584	286
585	585
586	586	CHAPTER 15. DEFENDANT'S COMPETENCY TO PROCEED
587	587	287
588	588	77-15-5 . Order for hearing -- Stay of other proceedings -- Examinations of
589	589	288
590	590	defendant -- Scope of examination and report.
591	591	289
592	592	(1) A court in which criminal proceedings are pending shall stay all criminal proceedings, if:
593	593	290
594	594	(a) a petition is filed under Section 77-15-3 or 77-15-3.5; or
595	595	291
596	596	(b) the court raises the issue of the defendant's competency under Section 77-15-4.
597	597	292
598	598	(2) The court in which the petition described in Subsection (1)(a) is filed:
599	599	293
600	600	(a) shall inform the court in which criminal proceedings are pending of the petition, if
601	601	294
602	602	the petition is not filed in the court in which criminal proceedings are pending;
603	603	295
604	604	(b) shall review the allegations of incompetency;
605	605	296
606	606	(c) may hold a limited hearing solely for the purpose of determining the sufficiency of
607	607	297
608	608	the petition, if the court finds the petition is not clearly sufficient on its face;
609	609	298
610	610	(d) shall hold a hearing, if the petition is opposed by either party; and
611	611	299
612	612	(e) may not order an examination of the defendant or order a hearing on the mental
613	613	300
614	614	condition of the defendant unless the court finds that the allegations in the petition
615	615	301
616	616	raise a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's competency to stand trial.
617	617	302
618	618	(3)(a) If the court finds that there is a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's competency
619	619	- 9 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
620	620	303
621	621	to stand trial, the court shall order the department to have one or two forensic
622	622	304
623	623	evaluators complete a competency evaluation for the defendant in accordance with
624	624	305
625	625	Subsection (3)(b) and provide a report to the court regarding the competency of the
626	626	306
627	627	defendant to stand trial.
628	628	307
629	629	(b) The court shall order the department to have the defendant evaluated by one forensic
630	630	308
631	631	evaluator unless:
632	632	309
633	633	(i) the defendant is charged with a capital felony; or
634	634	310
635	635	(ii) the defendant is charged with a felony that is not a capital felony, and the court
636	636	311
637	637	determines, based on the allegations in the petition, that good cause exists to order
638	638	312
639	639	two competency evaluations.
640	640	313
641	641	(c)(i) This section does not prohibit a party from seeking an additional forensic
642	642	314
643	643	evaluator to conduct a competency evaluation of the defendant.
644	644	315
645	645	(ii) If a party seeks an additional competency evaluation under this Subsection (3)(c),
646	646	316
647	647	the party shall:
648	648	317
649	649	(A) select the additional forensic evaluator; and
650	650	318
651	651	(B) pay the costs of the additional forensic evaluator.
652	652	319
653	653	(d) The stipulation by parties to a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's competency to
654	654	320
655	655	stand trial alone may not take the place of a competency evaluation ordered under
656	656	321
657	657	this Subsection (3).
658	658	322
659	659	(e) In accordance with state licensing laws, the court may only order the department to
660	660	323
661	661	provide an initial evaluation and progress toward competency evaluation for a
662	662	324
663	663	defendant who is located within the state.
664	664	325
665	665	(4)(a) If the petition or other information sufficiently raises concerns that the defendant
666	666	326
667	667	may have an intellectual disability, at least one forensic evaluator who is experienced
668	668	327
669	669	in assessments of intellectual disabilities shall conduct a competency evaluation.
670	670	328
671	671	(b) The petitioner or other party, as directed by the court or requested by the department,
672	672	329
673	673	shall provide to the forensic evaluator nonmedical information and materials relevant
674	674	330
675	675	to a determination of the defendant's competency, including the charging document,
676	676	331
677	677	arrest or incident reports pertaining to the charged offense, known criminal history
678	678	332
679	679	information, and known prior mental health evaluations and treatments.
680	680	333
681	681	(c) For purposes of a competency evaluation, a custodian of mental health records
682	682	334
683	683	pertaining to the defendant, including the defendant's prior mental health evaluations
684	684	335
685	685	or records relating to the defendant's substance use disorder, may provide the records
686	686	336
687	687	to:
688	688	- 10 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
689	689	337
690	690	(i) with the defendant's consent, a forensic evaluator or the department on the
691	691	338
692	692	department's request; or
693	693	339
694	694	(ii) a forensic evaluator by court order.
695	695	340
696	696	(d) A court order under Subsection (4)(c) shall include a protective order that expires
697	697	341
698	698	180 days after the day on which:
699	699	342
700	700	(i) the defendant is found guilty;
701	701	343
702	702	(ii) the defendant enters a guilty plea;
703	703	344
704	704	(iii) the court sentences the defendant; or
705	705	345
706	706	(iv) if the case is appealed, the day on which the final appeal is resolved.
707	707	346
708	708	(e)(i) Except as otherwise provided by law and in Subsections (4)(e)(ii) and (4)(f),
709	709	347
710	710	the court shall order the forensic evaluator to destroy all records subject to the
711	711	348
712	712	protective order within the 180 day period described in Subsection (4)(d).
713	713	349
714	714	(ii) A forensic evaluator is not required to destroy the records subject to the
715	715	350
716	716	protective order if destroying the records is a violation of ethical standards to
717	717	351
718	718	which the forensic evaluator is subject for occupational licensing.
719	719	352
720	720	(f) The court may extend the protective order described in Subsection (4)(d) if:
721	721	353
722	722	(i) the court finds the defendant incompetent to proceed without a substantial
723	723	354
724	724	probability that the defendant will become competent in the foreseeable future;
725	725	355
726	726	(ii) the prosecutor or another individual indicates to the court that the prosecutor or
727	727	356
728	728	other individual will seek civil commitment of the defendant under Section
729	729	357
730	730	77-15-6; and
731	731	358
732	732	(iii) the court orders the records be maintained and used only for the purposes of
733	733	359
734	734	examining the defendant in connection with the petition for civil commitment.
735	735	360
736	736	(g) An order for a competency evaluation may not contain an order for any other inquiry
737	737	361
738	738	into the mental state of the defendant that is not described in this Subsection (4).
739	739	362
740	740	(5) Pending a competency evaluation, unless the court or the department directs otherwise,
741	741	363
742	742	the defendant shall be retained in the same custody or status that the defendant was in at
743	743	364
744	744	the time the examination was ordered.
745	745	365
746	746	(6) In the conduct of a competency evaluation and in a report to the court, a forensic
747	747	366
748	748	evaluator shall consider and address, in addition to any other factors determined to be
749	749	367
750	750	relevant by the forensic evaluator:
751	751	368
752	752	(a)[(i)] the impact of the defendant's mental illness or intellectual disability on the
753	753	369
754	754	defendant's present ability to:
755	755	370
756	756	[(A)] (i) rationally and factually understand the criminal proceedings against the
757	757	- 11 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
758	758	371
759	759	defendant; and
760	760	372
761	761	[(B)] (ii) consult with the defendant's legal counsel with a reasonable degree of
762	762	373
763	763	rational understanding in order to assist in the defense;
764	764	374
765	765	(b) in making the determinations described in Subsection (6)(a), the forensic evaluator
766	766	375
767	767	shall consider, as applicable[:]
768	768	376
769	769	[(i)] the defendant's present ability to:
770	770	377
771	771	[(A)] (i) understand the charges or allegations against the defendant;
772	772	378
773	773	[(B)] (ii) communicate facts, events, and states of mind;
774	774	379
775	775	[(C)] (iii) understand the range of possible penalties associated with the charges or
776	776	380
777	777	allegations against the defendant;
778	778	381
779	779	[(D)] (iv) engage in reasoned choice of legal strategies and options;
780	780	382
781	781	[(E)] (v) understand the adversarial nature of the proceedings against the defendant;
782	782	383
783	783	[(F)] (vi) manifest behavior sufficient to allow the court to proceed; and
784	784	384
785	785	[(G)] (vii) testify relevantly, if applicable; and
786	786	385
787	787	(c) whether the defendant is exhibiting false or exaggerated physical or psychological
788	788	386
789	789	symptoms relevant to the defendant's capacity to stand trial.
790	790	387
791	791	(7) Upon a determination that the defendant is incompetent to proceed, the forensic
792	792	388
793	793	evaluator shall indicate in the report to the court:
794	794	389
795	795	(a) the factors that contribute to the defendant's incompetency, including the nature of
796	796	390
797	797	the defendant's mental illness or intellectual disability, if any, and its relationship to
798	798	391
799	799	the factors contributing to the defendant's incompetency;
800	800	392
801	801	(b) whether there is a substantial probability that:
802	802	393
803	803	(i) restoration treatment may bring the defendant to competency to stand trial in the
804	804	394
805	805	foreseeable future; or
806	806	395
807	807	(ii) the defendant cannot become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future;
808	808	396
809	809	(c) whether the defendant would benefit from restoration treatment; and
810	810	397
811	811	(d) if the forensic evaluator makes the determination under Subsection (7)(b)(i) or (7)(c),
812	812	398
813	813	an explanation of the reason for the determination and a summary of the treatment
814	814	399
815	815	provided to the defendant in the past.
816	816	400
817	817	(8)(a) A forensic evaluator shall provide an initial report to the court and the prosecuting
818	818	401
819	819	and defense attorneys within 30 days of the receipt of the court's order. The report
820	820	402
821	821	shall inform the court of the examiner's opinion concerning the competency of the
822	822	403
823	823	defendant to stand trial.
824	824	404
825	825	(b)(i) If the forensic evaluator is unable to complete the report in the time specified in
826	826	- 12 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
827	827	405
828	828	Subsection (8)(a), the forensic evaluator shall give written notice to the court.
829	829	406
830	830	(ii) A forensic evaluator who provides the notice described in Subsection (8)(b)(i)
831	831	407
832	832	shall receive a 15-day extension, giving the forensic evaluator a total of 45 days
833	833	408
834	834	after the day on which the forensic evaluator received the court's order to conduct
835	835	409
836	836	a competency evaluation and file a report.
837	837	410
838	838	(iii) The court may further extend the deadline for completion of the evaluation and
839	839	411
840	840	report if the court determines that there is good cause for the extension.
841	841	412
842	842	(iv) Upon receipt of an extension described in Subsection (8)(b)(iii), the forensic
843	843	413
844	844	evaluator shall file the report as soon as reasonably possible.
845	845	414
846	846	(9) Any written report submitted by a forensic evaluator shall:
847	847	415
848	848	(a) identify the case ordered for evaluation by the case number;
849	849	416
850	850	(b) describe the procedures, techniques, and tests used in the examination and the
851	851	417
852	852	purpose or purposes for each, the time spent by the forensic evaluator with the
853	853	418
854	854	defendant for purposes of the examination, and the compensation to be paid to the
855	855	419
856	856	evaluator for the report;
857	857	420
858	858	(c) state the forensic evaluator's clinical observations, findings, and opinions on each
859	859	421
860	860	factor described in Subsection (6); and
861	861	422
862	862	(d) identify the sources of information used by the forensic evaluator and present the
863	863	423
864	864	basis for the forensic evaluator's clinical findings and opinions.
865	865	424
866	866	(10)(a) Any statement made by the defendant in the course of any competency
867	867	425
868	868	examination, whether the examination is with or without the consent of the
869	869	426
870	870	defendant, any testimony by a forensic evaluator based upon the statement, and any
871	871	427
872	872	other fruits of the statement may not be admitted in evidence against the defendant in
873	873	428
874	874	any criminal proceeding except on an issue respecting mental condition on which the
875	875	429
876	876	defendant has introduced evidence, unless the evidence is relevant to a determination
877	877	430
878	878	of the defendant's competency.
879	879	431
880	880	(b) Before examining the defendant, the forensic evaluator shall specifically advise the
881	881	432
882	882	defendant of the limits of confidentiality as provided under Subsection (10)(a).
883	883	433
884	884	(11)(a) Upon receipt of the forensic evaluators' reports, the court shall set a date for a
885	885	434
886	886	competency hearing. The hearing shall be held not less than five and not more than
887	887	435
888	888	15 days after the day on which the court received the forensic evaluators' reports,
889	889	436
890	890	unless for good cause the court sets a later date.
891	891	437
892	892	(b) Any person directed by the department to conduct the competency evaluation may be
893	893	438
894	894	subpoenaed to testify at the hearing.
895	895	- 13 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
896	896	439
897	897	(c) The court may call any forensic evaluator to testify at the hearing who is not called
898	898	440
899	899	by the parties. [ ]If the court calls a forensic evaluator, counsel for the parties may
900	900	441
901	901	cross-examine the forensic evaluator.
902	902	442
903	903	(d)(i) If the forensic evaluators are in conflict as to the competency of the defendant,
904	904	443
905	905	all forensic evaluators should be called to testify at the hearing if reasonably
906	906	444
907	907	available.
908	908	445
909	909	(ii) A conflict in the opinions of the forensic evaluators does not require the
910	910	446
911	911	appointment of an additional forensic evaluator unless the court finds good cause
912	912	447
913	913	for the appointment.
914	914	448
915	915	(iii) If a party seeks an additional competency evaluation under this Subsection (11),
916	916	449
917	917	that party shall:
918	918	450
919	919	(A) select the additional forensic evaluator; and
920	920	451
921	921	(B) pay the costs of the additional forensic evaluator.
922	922	452
923	923	(12)(a)(i) A defendant shall be presumed competent to stand trial unless the court, by
924	924	453
925	925	a preponderance of the evidence, finds the defendant incompetent to proceed.
926	926	454
927	927	(ii) The burden of proof is upon the proponent of incompetency at the hearing.
928	928	455
929	929	(b) An adjudication of incompetent to proceed does not operate as an adjudication of
930	930	456
931	931	incompetency to give informed consent for medical treatment or for any other
932	932	457
933	933	purpose, unless specifically set forth in the court order.
934	934	458
935	935	(13) In determining the defendant's competency to stand trial, the court shall consider the
936	936	459
937	937	totality of the circumstances, including:
938	938	460
939	939	(a) the petition;
940	940	461
941	941	(b) the defendant's criminal and arrest history;
942	942	462
943	943	(c) prior mental health evaluations and treatments provided to the court by the defendant;
944	944	463
945	945	(d) subject to Subsection (15), whether the defendant was found incompetent to proceed
946	946	464
947	947	in a criminal action unrelated to the charged offense for which the petition is filed;
948	948	465
949	949	(e) the testimony of lay witnesses, if any;
950	950	466
951	951	(f) the forensic evaluator's testimony and report;
952	952	467
953	953	(g) the materials on which the forensic evaluator's report is based; and
954	954	468
955	955	(h) any other relevant evidence or consideration bearing on the competency of the
956	956	469
957	957	defendant.
958	958	470
959	959	(14) If the court finds the defendant incompetent to proceed:
960	960	471
961	961	(a) the court shall issue the order described in Subsection 77-15-6(1), which shall:
962	962	472
963	963	(i) include findings addressing each of the factors in Subsection (6)(a);
964	964	- 14 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
965	965	473
966	966	(ii) include a transportation order, if necessary;
967	967	474
968	968	(iii) be accompanied by the forensic evaluators' reports, any psychiatric,
969	969	475
970	970	psychological, or social work reports submitted to the court relative to the mental
971	971	476
972	972	condition of the defendant, and any other documents made available to the court
973	973	477
974	974	by either the defense or the prosecution, pertaining to the defendant's current or
975	975	478
976	976	past mental condition; and
977	977	479
978	978	(iv) be sent by the court to the department; and
979	979	480
980	980	(b) the prosecuting attorney shall provide to the department:
981	981	481
982	982	(i) the charging document and probable cause statement, if any;
983	983	482
984	984	(ii) arrest or incident reports prepared by law enforcement and pertaining to the
985	985	483
986	986	charged offense; and
987	987	484
988	988	(iii) additional supporting documents.
989	989	485
990	990	(15) The court may not find the defendant incompetent to proceed based solely on a court
991	991	486
992	992	having ordered the release of the defendant under Section 77-15-3.5 or Section 77-15-6
993	993	487
994	994	in an unrelated criminal action if the court in the unrelated criminal action ordered the
995	995	488
996	996	release more than one year before the day on which the petition described in Subsection
997	997	489
998	998	(13)(a) is filed.
999	999	490
1000	1000	(16) The court may make any reasonable order to ensure compliance with this section.
1001	1001	491
1002	1002	(17) Failure to comply with this section does not result in the dismissal of criminal charges.
1003	1003	492
1004	1004	Section 7. Section 77-15-6 is amended to read:
1005	1005	493
1006	1006	77-15-6 . Commitment on finding of incompetency to stand trial -- Subsequent
1007	1007	494
1008	1008	hearings -- Notice to prosecuting attorneys.
1009	1009	495
1010	1010	(1)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (5), if after a hearing a court finds a defendant to
1011	1011	496
1012	1012	be incompetent to proceed, the court shall order the defendant committed to the
1013	1013	497
1014	1014	department for restoration treatment.
1015	1015	498
1016	1016	(b)(i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b)(ii), the court may recommend but may
1017	1017	499
1018	1018	not order placement of a defendant who is found incompetent to proceed.
1019	1019	500
1020	1020	(ii) The court may order that the defendant be placed in a secure setting rather than a
1021	1021	501
1022	1022	nonsecure setting.
1023	1023	502
1024	1024	(c) Following restoration screening, the department's designee shall designate and
1025	1025	503
1026	1026	inform the court of the specific placement and restoration treatment program for the
1027	1027	504
1028	1028	defendant.
1029	1029	505
1030	1030	(d) Restoration treatment shall be of sufficient scope and duration to:
1031	1031	506
1032	1032	(i) restore the defendant to competency; or
1033	1033	- 15 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
1034	1034	507
1035	1035	(ii) determine whether the defendant can be restored to competency in the foreseeable
1036	1036	508
1037	1037	future.
1038	1038	509
1039	1039	(e) A defendant who a court determines is incompetent to proceed may not be held for
1040	1040	510
1041	1041	restoration treatment longer than:
1042	1042	511
1043	1043	(i) the time reasonably necessary to determine that the defendant cannot become
1044	1044	512
1045	1045	competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future; and
1046	1046	513
1047	1047	(ii) the maximum period of incarceration that the defendant could receive if the
1048	1048	514
1049	1049	defendant were convicted of the most severe offense of the offenses charged.
1050	1050	515
1051	1051	(2)(a) A defendant who is receiving restoration treatment shall receive a progress toward
1052	1052	516
1053	1053	competency evaluation, by:
1054	1054	517
1055	1055	(i) a forensic evaluator, designated by the department; and
1056	1056	518
1057	1057	(ii) an additional forensic evaluator, if requested by a party and paid for by the
1058	1058	519
1059	1059	requesting party.
1060	1060	520
1061	1061	(b) A forensic evaluator shall complete a progress toward competency evaluation and
1062	1062	521
1063	1063	submit a report within 90 days after the day on which the forensic evaluator receives
1064	1064	522
1065	1065	the commitment order from the department.
1066	1066	523
1067	1067	(c) The report shall:
1068	1068	524
1069	1069	(i) assess whether the defendant is exhibiting false or exaggerated physical or
1070	1070	525
1071	1071	psychological symptoms;
1072	1072	526
1073	1073	(ii) describe any diagnostic instruments, methods, and observations used by the
1074	1074	527
1075	1075	evaluator to make the determination;
1076	1076	528
1077	1077	(iii) describe the defendant's current mental illness or intellectual disability, if any;
1078	1078	529
1079	1079	(iv) state the forensic evaluator's opinion as to the effect of any false or exaggerated
1080	1080	530
1081	1081	symptoms on the defendant's competency to stand trial;
1082	1082	531
1083	1083	(v) assess the facility's or program's capacity to provide appropriate restoration
1084	1084	532
1085	1085	treatment for the defendant;
1086	1086	533
1087	1087	(vi) assess the nature of restoration treatment provided to the defendant;
1088	1088	534
1089	1089	(vii) assess what progress the defendant has made toward competency restoration,
1090	1090	535
1091	1091	with respect to the factors identified by the court in its initial order;
1092	1092	536
1093	1093	(viii) assess whether the defendant can reasonably be restored to competency in the
1094	1094	537
1095	1095	foreseeable future given the restoration treatment currently being provided and the
1096	1096	538
1097	1097	facility's or program's capacity to provide appropriate restoration treatment for the
1098	1098	539
1099	1099	defendant;
1100	1100	540
1101	1101	(ix) assess the likelihood of restoration to competency, the amount of time estimated
1102	1102	- 16 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
1103	1103	541
1104	1104	to achieve competency, or the amount of time estimated to determine whether
1105	1105	542
1106	1106	restoration to competency may be achieved; and
1107	1107	543
1108	1108	(x) include a statement by the facility's treating physician regarding:
1109	1109	544
1110	1110	(A) whether the defendant is taking any antipsychotic medication as prescribed;
1111	1111	545
1112	1112	(B) whether ongoing administration of antipsychotic medication is necessary to
1113	1113	546
1114	1114	maintain the defendant's competency to stand trial;
1115	1115	547
1116	1116	(C) whether antipsychotic medication is substantially likely to maintain the
1117	1117	548
1118	1118	defendant's competency to stand trial;
1119	1119	549
1120	1120	(D) whether antipsychotic medication is substantially unlikely to produce side
1121	1121	550
1122	1122	effects which would significantly interfere with the defendant's ability to assist
1123	1123	551
1124	1124	in the defendant's defense;
1125	1125	552
1126	1126	(E) that no less intrusive means are available, and whether any of those means
1127	1127	553
1128	1128	have been attempted to render the defendant competent; and
1129	1129	554
1130	1130	(F) whether antipsychotic medication is medically appropriate and in the
1131	1131	555
1132	1132	defendant's best medical interest in light of the defendant's medical condition.
1133	1133	556
1134	1134	(3)(a) The court on its own motion or upon motion by either party or the department
1135	1135	557
1136	1136	may appoint an additional forensic evaluator to conduct a progress toward
1137	1137	558
1138	1138	competency evaluation.
1139	1139	559
1140	1140	(b) If the court appoints an additional forensic evaluator upon motion of a party, that
1141	1141	560
1142	1142	party shall pay the costs of the additional forensic evaluator.
1143	1143	561
1144	1144	(4)(a) Within 15 days after the day on which the court receives the forensic evaluator's
1145	1145	562
1146	1146	report of the progress toward competency evaluation, the court shall hold a hearing to
1147	1147	563
1148	1148	review the defendant's competency.
1149	1149	564
1150	1150	(b) At the hearing, the burden of proving that the defendant is competent to stand trial is
1151	1151	565
1152	1152	on the proponent of competency.
1153	1153	566
1154	1154	(c) Following the hearing, the court shall determine by a preponderance of evidence
1155	1155	567
1156	1156	whether the defendant:
1157	1157	568
1158	1158	(i) is competent to stand trial;
1159	1159	569
1160	1160	(ii) is competent, but requires the ongoing administration of antipsychotic medication
1161	1161	570
1162	1162	in order to maintain the defendant's competency to stand trial;
1163	1163	571
1164	1164	(iii) is incompetent to proceed, with a substantial probability that the defendant may
1165	1165	572
1166	1166	become competent in the foreseeable future; or
1167	1167	573
1168	1168	(iv) is incompetent to proceed, without a substantial probability that the defendant
1169	1169	574
1170	1170	may become competent in the foreseeable future.
1171	1171	- 17 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
1172	1172	575
1173	1173	(5)(a) If at any time the court determines that the defendant is competent to stand trial,
1174	1174	576
1175	1175	the court shall:
1176	1176	577
1177	1177	(i) proceed with the trial or other procedures as may be necessary to adjudicate the
1178	1178	578
1179	1179	charges;
1180	1180	579
1181	1181	(ii) order that the defendant be returned to the placement and status that the defendant
1182	1182	580
1183	1183	was in at the time when the petition for the adjudication of competency was filed
1184	1184	581
1185	1185	or raised by the court, unless the court determines that placement of the defendant
1186	1186	582
1187	1187	in a less restrictive environment is more appropriate;
1188	1188	583
1189	1189	(iii) order the ongoing administration of antipsychotic medication to the defendant for
1190	1190	584
1191	1191	the purpose of maintaining the defendant's competency to stand trial, if the court
1192	1192	585
1193	1193	finds that the administration of antipsychotic medication is necessary to maintain
1194	1194	586
1195	1195	the defendant's competency to stand trial under Subsection (4)(c)(ii); and
1196	1196	587
1197	1197	(iv) require the agency, jail, or prison with custody over the defendant to report to the
1198	1198	588
1199	1199	court any noncompliance with the court's orders under this Subsection (5) within
1200	1200	589
1201	1201	48 hours of the noncompliance.
1202	1202	590
1203	1203	(b) If the court determines that the defendant is incompetent to proceed with a
1204	1204	591
1205	1205	substantial probability that the defendant may become competent in the foreseeable
1206	1206	592
1207	1207	future, the court may order that the defendant remain committed to the department or
1208	1208	593
1209	1209	the department's designee for the purpose of restoration treatment.
1210	1210	594
1211	1211	(c)(i) If the court determines that the defendant is incompetent to proceed without a
1212	1212	595
1213	1213	substantial probability that the defendant may become competent in the
1214	1214	596
1215	1215	foreseeable future, the court shall order the defendant released from commitment
1216	1216	597
1217	1217	to the department, unless the prosecutor or another individual informs the court
1218	1218	598
1219	1219	that civil commitment proceedings pursuant to Title 26B, Chapter 5, Health Care -
1220	1220	599
1221	1221	Substance Use and Mental Health, or Title 26B, Chapter 6, Part 4, Division of
1222	1222	600
1223	1223	Services for People with Disabilities, will be initiated.
1224	1224	601
1225	1225	(ii) The commitment proceedings must be initiated by a petition filed within seven
1226	1226	602
1227	1227	days after the day on which the court makes the determination described in
1228	1228	603
1229	1229	Subsection (4)(c)(iv), unless the court finds that there is good cause to delay the
1230	1230	604
1231	1231	initiation of the civil commitment proceedings.
1232	1232	605
1233	1233	(iii) The court may order the defendant to remain committed to the department until
1234	1234	606
1235	1235	the civil commitment proceedings conclude.
1236	1236	607
1237	1237	(iv) If the defendant is civilly committed and admitted to a secure setting, the
1238	1238	608
1239	1239	department shall provide notice to the court that adjudicated the defendant
1240	1240	- 18 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
1241	1241	609
1242	1242	incompetent to proceed and to the prosecution agency that prosecuted the case at
1243	1243	610
1244	1244	least [60] 15 days before any proposed release of the committed individual from
1245	1245	611
1246	1246	the secure setting.
1247	1247	612
1248	1248	(v) If the prosecution agency that prosecuted the case intends to refile charges against
1249	1249	613
1250	1250	the committed individual:
1251	1251	614
1252	1252	(A) the prosecution agency shall provide written notice of that intent to the
1253	1253	615
1254	1254	department within 15 days after the department provides the notice described
1255	1255	616
1256	1256	in Subsection (5)(c)(iv); and
1257	1257	617
1258	1258	(B) the department shall postpone release of the committed individual for at least
1259	1259	618
1260	1260	30 days after the day on which the department receives the written notice of
1261	1261	619
1262	1262	intent from the prosecution agency.
1263	1263	620
1264	1264	(vi) If the prosecution agency that prosecuted the case refiles charges against the
1265	1265	621
1266	1266	committed individual and the individual's competency is raised, the department
1267	1267	622
1268	1268	shall postpone release of the individual until the competency proceedings
1269	1269	623
1270	1270	conclude.
1271	1271	624
1272	1272	(6)(a) At any time following the court's order under Subsection (5)(a)(iii), the defendant,
1273	1273	625
1274	1274	the prosecuting attorney, the department, the treating physician, or the agency, jail, or
1275	1275	626
1276	1276	prison with custody over the defendant, may notify the court of the need to review
1277	1277	627
1278	1278	the medication order under Subsection (5)(a)(iii) for continued appropriateness and
1279	1279	628
1280	1280	feasibility.
1281	1281	629
1282	1282	(b) The court shall set the matter for a hearing if the notification under Subsection (6)(a)
1283	1283	630
1284	1284	establishes good cause to review the matter.
1285	1285	631
1286	1286	(7) If a court, under Subsection (5)(b), extends a defendant's commitment, the court shall
1287	1287	632
1288	1288	schedule a competency review hearing for the earlier of:
1289	1289	633
1290	1290	(a) the department's best estimate of when the defendant may be restored to competency;
1291	1291	634
1292	1292	or
1293	1293	635
1294	1294	(b) three months after the day on which the court determined under Subsection (5)(b) to
1295	1295	636
1296	1296	extend the defendant's commitment.
1297	1297	637
1298	1298	(8) Unless the defendant is charged with a crime listed in Subsection (9), if a defendant is
1299	1299	638
1300	1300	incompetent to proceed by the day of the competency review hearing that follows the
1301	1301	639
1302	1302	extension of a defendant's commitment, the court shall:
1303	1303	640
1304	1304	(a) order the defendant be:
1305	1305	641
1306	1306	(i) released or temporarily detained pending civil commitment proceedings as
1307	1307	642
1308	1308	described in Subsection (5)(c); and
1309	1309	- 19 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
1310	1310	643
1311	1311	(ii) terminate the defendant's commitment to the department for restoration treatment;
1312	1312	644
1313	1313	or
1314	1314	645
1315	1315	(b) if the forensic evaluator reports to the court that there is a substantial probability that
1316	1316	646
1317	1317	restoration treatment will bring the defendant to competency to stand trial in the
1318	1318	647
1319	1319	foreseeable future, extend the defendant's commitment for restoration treatment up to
1320	1320	648
1321	1321	45 additional days.
1322	1322	649
1323	1323	(9) If the defendant is charged with aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder,
1324	1324	650
1325	1325	manslaughter, or a first degree felony and the court determines that the defendant is
1326	1326	651
1327	1327	making reasonable progress towards restoration of competency at the time of the hearing
1328	1328	652
1329	1329	held pursuant to Subsection (7), the court may extend the commitment for a period not
1330	1330	653
1331	1331	to exceed nine months for the purpose of restoration treatment, with a mandatory review
1332	1332	654
1333	1333	hearing at the end of the nine-month period.
1334	1334	655
1335	1335	(10) Unless the defendant is charged with aggravated murder or murder, if, at the
1336	1336	656
1337	1337	nine-month review hearing described in Subsection (9), the court determines that the
1338	1338	657
1339	1339	defendant is incompetent to proceed, the court shall:
1340	1340	658
1341	1341	(a)(i) order the defendant be released or temporarily detained pending civil
1342	1342	659
1343	1343	commitment proceedings as provided in Subsection (5)(c); and
1344	1344	660
1345	1345	(ii) terminate the defendant's commitment to the department for restoration treatment;
1346	1346	661
1347	1347	or
1348	1348	662
1349	1349	(b) if the forensic evaluator reports to the court that there is a substantial probability that
1350	1350	663
1351	1351	restoration treatment will bring the defendant to competency to stand trial in the
1352	1352	664
1353	1353	foreseeable future, extend the defendant's commitment for restoration treatment for
1354	1354	665
1355	1355	up to 135 additional days.
1356	1356	666
1357	1357	(11) If the defendant is charged with aggravated murder or murder and the court determines
1358	1358	667
1359	1359	that the defendant is making reasonable progress towards restoration of competency at
1360	1360	668
1361	1361	the time of the nine-month review hearing described in Subsection (9), the court may
1362	1362	669
1363	1363	extend the commitment for a period not to exceed 24 months for the purpose of
1364	1364	670
1365	1365	restoration treatment.
1366	1366	671
1367	1367	(12) If the court extends the defendant's commitment term under Subsection (11), the court
1368	1368	672
1369	1369	shall hold a hearing no less frequently than at 12-month intervals following the
1370	1370	673
1371	1371	extension for the purpose of determining the defendant's competency status.
1372	1372	674
1373	1373	(13) If, at the end of the 24-month commitment period described in Subsection (11), the
1374	1374	675
1375	1375	court determines that the defendant is incompetent to proceed, the court shall:
1376	1376	676
1377	1377	(a)(i) order the defendant be released or temporarily detained pending civil
1378	1378	- 20 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
1379	1379	677
1380	1380	commitment proceedings as provided in Subsection (5)(c); and
1381	1381	678
1382	1382	(ii) terminate the defendant's commitment to the department for restoration treatment;
1383	1383	679
1384	1384	or
1385	1385	680
1386	1386	(b) if the forensic evaluator reports to the court that there is a substantial probability that
1387	1387	681
1388	1388	restoration treatment will bring the defendant to competency to stand trial in the
1389	1389	682
1390	1390	foreseeable future, extend the defendant's commitment for restoration treatment for
1391	1391	683
1392	1392	up to 12 additional months.
1393	1393	684
1394	1394	(14)(a) Neither release from a pretrial incompetency commitment under the provisions
1395	1395	685
1396	1396	of this section nor civil commitment requires dismissal of criminal charges.
1397	1397	686
1398	1398	(b) The court may retain jurisdiction over the criminal case and may order periodic
1399	1399	687
1400	1400	reviews.
1401	1401	688
1402	1402	(15) A defendant who is civilly committed pursuant to Title 26B, Chapter 5, Health Care -
1403	1403	689
1404	1404	Substance Use and Mental Health, or Title 26B, Chapter 6, Part 4, Division of Services
1405	1405	690
1406	1406	for People with Disabilities, may still be adjudicated competent to stand trial under this
1407	1407	691
1408	1408	chapter.
1409	1409	692
1410	1410	(16)(a) The remedy for a violation of the time periods specified in this section, other
1411	1411	693
1412	1412	than those specified in Subsection (5)(c), (8), (10), or (13), shall be a motion to
1413	1413	694
1414	1414	compel the hearing, or mandamus, but not release from detention or dismissal of the
1415	1415	695
1416	1416	criminal charges.
1417	1417	696
1418	1418	(b) The remedy for a violation of the time periods specified in Subsection (5)(c), (8), (9),
1419	1419	697
1420	1420	or (13), or is not dismissal of the criminal charges.
1421	1421	698
1422	1422	(17) In cases in which the treatment of the defendant is precluded by court order for a
1423	1423	699
1424	1424	period of time, that time period may not be considered in computing time limitations
1425	1425	700
1426	1426	under this section.
1427	1427	701
1428	1428	(18)(a) If, at any time, the defendant becomes competent to stand trial while the
1429	1429	702
1430	1430	defendant is committed to the department, the clinical director of the Utah State
1431	1431	703
1432	1432	Hospital, the department, or the department's designee shall certify that fact to the
1433	1433	704
1434	1434	court.
1435	1435	705
1436	1436	(b) The court shall conduct a competency review hearing:
1437	1437	706
1438	1438	(i) within 15 working days after the day on which the court receives the certification
1439	1439	707
1440	1440	described in Subsection (18)(a); or
1441	1441	708
1442	1442	(ii) within 30 working days after the day on which the court receives the certification
1443	1443	709
1444	1444	described in Subsection (18)(a), if the court determines that more than 15 working
1445	1445	710
1446	1446	days are necessary for good cause related to the defendant's competency.
1447	1447	- 21 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
1448	1448	711
1449	1449	(19) The court may order a hearing at any time on the court's own motion or upon
1450	1450	712
1451	1451	recommendations of the clinical director of the Utah State Hospital or other facility or
1452	1452	713
1453	1453	the department.
1454	1454	714
1455	1455	(20) Notice of a hearing on competency to stand trial shall be given to the prosecuting
1456	1456	715
1457	1457	attorney and all counsel of record.
1458	1458	716
1459	1459	Section 8. Section 77-19-203 is amended to read:
1460	1460	717
1461	1461	77-19-203 . Petition for inquiry as to competency to be executed -- Filing --
1462	1462	718
1463	1463	Contents -- Successive petitions.
1464	1464	719
1465	1465	(1) If an inmate who has been sentenced to death is or becomes incompetent to be executed,
1466	1466	720
1467	1467	a petition under Subsection (2) may be filed in the district court of the county where the
1468	1468	721
1469	1469	inmate is confined.
1470	1470	722
1471	1471	(2) The petition shall:
1472	1472	723
1473	1473	(a) contain a certificate stating that it is filed in good faith and on reasonable grounds to
1474	1474	724
1475	1475	believe the inmate is incompetent to be executed; and
1476	1476	725
1477	1477	(b) contain a specific recital of the facts, observations, and conversations with the inmate
1478	1478	726
1479	1479	that form the basis for the petition.
1480	1480	727
1481	1481	(3) The petition may be based upon knowledge or information and belief and may be filed
1482	1482	728
1483	1483	by the inmate alleged to be incompetent, legal counsel for the inmate, or by an attorney
1484	1484	729
1485	1485	representing the state.
1486	1486	730
1487	1487	(4) Before ruling on a petition filed by an inmate or his counsel alleging that the inmate is
1488	1488	731
1489	1489	incompetent to be executed, the court shall give the state and the Department of
1490	1490	732
1491	1491	Corrections an opportunity to respond to the allegations of incompetency.
1492	1492	733
1493	1493	(5) If a petition is filed after an inmate has previously been found competent under either
1494	1494	734
1495	1495	this chapter or under [Title 77, Chapter 15, Inquiry into Sanity of Defendant] Title 77,
1496	1496	735
1497	1497	Chapter 15, Defendant's Competency to Proceed, no further hearing on competency may
1498	1498	736
1499	1499	be granted unless the successive petition:
1500	1500	737
1501	1501	(a) alleges with specificity a substantial change of circumstances subsequent to the
1502	1502	738
1503	1503	previous determination of competency; and
1504	1504	739
1505	1505	(b) is sufficient to raise a significant question about the inmate's competency to be
1506	1506	740
1507	1507	executed.
1508	1508	741
1509	1509	Section 9. Section 77-29-3 is amended to read:
1510	1510	742
1511	1511	77-29-3 . Chapter inapplicable to incompetent persons.
1512	1512	743
1513	1513	The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any person while adjudged to be
1514	1514	744
1515	1515	incompetent to proceed under [Chapter 15, Inquiry into Sanity of Defendant] Chapter 15,
1516	1516	- 22 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
1517	1517	745
1518	1518	Defendant's Competency to Proceed.
1519	1519	746
1520	1520	Section 10. Section 80-6-403 is amended to read:
1521	1521	747
1522	1522	80-6-403 . Disposition on finding of not competent to proceed -- Subsequent
1523	1523	748
1524	1524	hearings -- Notice to prosecuting attorneys.
1525	1525	749
1526	1526	(1) If the juvenile court determines that the minor is not competent to proceed, and there is
1527	1527	750
1528	1528	a substantial likelihood that the minor may attain competency in the foreseeable future,
1529	1529	751
1530	1530	the juvenile court shall notify the department of the finding and allow the department 30
1531	1531	752
1532	1532	days to develop an attainment plan for the minor.
1533	1533	753
1534	1534	(2) The attainment plan shall include:
1535	1535	754
1536	1536	(a) any services or treatment the minor has been or is currently receiving that are
1537	1537	755
1538	1538	necessary to attain competency;
1539	1539	756
1540	1540	(b) any additional services or treatment the minor may require to attain competency;
1541	1541	757
1542	1542	(c) an assessment of the parent, custodian, or guardian's ability to access or provide any
1543	1543	758
1544	1544	recommended treatment or services;
1545	1545	759
1546	1546	(d) any special conditions or supervision that may be necessary for the safety of the
1547	1547	760
1548	1548	minor or others during the attainment period; and
1549	1549	761
1550	1550	(e) the likelihood that the minor will attain competency and the amount of time likely
1551	1551	762
1552	1552	required for the minor to attain competency.
1553	1553	763
1554	1554	(3) The department shall provide the attainment plan to the juvenile court, the prosecuting
1555	1555	764
1556	1556	attorney, the defense attorney, and the attorney guardian ad litem at least three days
1557	1557	765
1558	1558	before the competency disposition hearing.
1559	1559	766
1560	1560	(4)(a) During the attainment period, the minor shall remain in the least restrictive
1561	1561	767
1562	1562	appropriate setting.
1563	1563	768
1564	1564	(b) A finding of not competent to proceed does not grant authority for a juvenile court to
1565	1565	769
1566	1566	place a minor in the custody of a division of the department, or create eligibility for
1567	1567	770
1568	1568	services from the Division of Services for People With Disabilities.
1569	1569	771
1570	1570	(c) If the juvenile court orders the minor to be held in detention during the attainment
1571	1571	772
1572	1572	period, the juvenile court shall make the following findings on the record:
1573	1573	773
1574	1574	(i) the placement is the least restrictive appropriate setting;
1575	1575	774
1576	1576	(ii) the placement is in the best interest of the minor;
1577	1577	775
1578	1578	(iii) the minor will have access to the services and treatment required by the
1579	1579	776
1580	1580	attainment plan in the placement; and
1581	1581	777
1582	1582	(iv) the placement is necessary for the safety of the minor or others.
1583	1583	778
1584	1584	(d) A juvenile court shall terminate an order of detention related to the pending
1585	1585	- 23 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
1586	1586	779
1587	1587	proceeding for a minor who is not competent to proceed in that matter if:
1588	1588	780
1589	1589	(i) the most severe allegation against the minor if committed by an adult is a class B
1590	1590	781
1591	1591	misdemeanor;
1592	1592	782
1593	1593	(ii) more than 60 days have passed after the day on which the juvenile court
1594	1594	783
1595	1595	adjudicated the minor not competent to proceed; and
1596	1596	784
1597	1597	(iii) the minor has not attained competency.
1598	1598	785
1599	1599	(5)(a) At any time that the minor becomes competent to proceed during the attainment
1600	1600	786
1601	1601	period, the department shall notify the juvenile court, the prosecuting attorney, the
1602	1602	787
1603	1603	defense attorney, and the attorney guardian ad litem.
1604	1604	788
1605	1605	(b) The juvenile court shall hold a hearing with 15 business days of notice from the
1606	1606	789
1607	1607	department described in Subsection (5)(a).
1608	1608	790
1609	1609	(6)(a) If at any time during the attainment period the juvenile court finds that there is not
1610	1610	791
1611	1611	a substantial probability that the minor will attain competency in the foreseeable
1612	1612	792
1613	1613	future, the juvenile court shall terminate the competency proceeding, dismiss the
1614	1614	793
1615	1615	petition or information without prejudice, and release the minor from any custody
1616	1616	794
1617	1617	order related to the pending proceeding, unless the prosecuting attorney or any other
1618	1618	795
1619	1619	individual informs the juvenile court that commitment proceedings will be initiated in
1620	1620	796
1621	1621	accordance with:
1622	1622	797
1623	1623	(i) Title 26B, Chapter 6, Part 6, Admission to an Intermediate Care Facility for
1624	1624	798
1625	1625	People with an Intellectual Disability;
1626	1626	799
1627	1627	(ii) if the minor is 18 years old or older, Title 26B, Chapter 5, Part 3, Utah State
1628	1628	800
1629	1629	Hospital and Other Mental Health Facilities; or
1630	1630	801
1631	1631	(iii) if the minor is a child, Title 26B, Chapter 5, Part 4, Commitment of Persons
1632	1632	802
1633	1633	Under Age 18.
1634	1634	803
1635	1635	(b) The prosecuting attorney shall initiate the proceedings described in Subsection (6)(a)
1636	1636	804
1637	1637	within seven days after the juvenile court's order, unless the juvenile court enlarges
1638	1638	805
1639	1639	the time for good cause shown.
1640	1640	806
1641	1641	(7) During the attainment period, the juvenile court may order a hearing or rehearing at
1642	1642	807
1643	1643	anytime on the juvenile court's own motion or upon recommendation of any interested
1644	1644	808
1645	1645	party or the department.
1646	1646	809
1647	1647	(8)(a) Within three months of the juvenile court's approval of the attainment plan, the
1648	1648	810
1649	1649	department shall provide a report on the minor's progress towards competence.
1650	1650	811
1651	1651	(b) The report described in Subsection (8)(a) shall address the minor's:
1652	1652	812
1653	1653	(i) compliance with the attainment plan;
1654	1654	- 24 - 01-27 12:45 H.B. 338
1655	1655	813
1656	1656	(ii) progress towards competency based on the issues identified in the original
1657	1657	814
1658	1658	competency evaluation; and
1659	1659	815
1660	1660	(iii) current mental illness, intellectual disability or related condition, or
1661	1661	816
1662	1662	developmental immaturity, and need for treatment, if any, and whether there is
1663	1663	817
1664	1664	substantial likelihood of the minor attaining competency within six months.
1665	1665	818
1666	1666	(9)(a) Within 30 days of receipt of the report, the juvenile court shall hold a hearing to
1667	1667	819
1668	1668	determine the minor's current status.
1669	1669	820
1670	1670	(b) At the hearing, the burden of proving the minor is competent is on the proponent of
1671	1671	821
1672	1672	competency.
1673	1673	822
1674	1674	(c) The juvenile court shall determine by a preponderance of the evidence whether the
1675	1675	823
1676	1676	minor is competent to proceed.
1677	1677	824
1678	1678	(10) If the minor has not attained competency after the initial three month attainment period
1679	1679	825
1680	1680	but is showing reasonable progress towards attainment of competency, the juvenile court
1681	1681	826
1682	1682	may extend the attainment period up to an additional three months.
1683	1683	827
1684	1684	(11) The department shall provide an updated juvenile competency evaluation at the
1685	1685	828
1686	1686	conclusion of the [six month ]attainment period to advise the juvenile court on the
1687	1687	829
1688	1688	minor's current competency status.
1689	1689	830
1690	1690	(12) If the minor does not attain competency within six months after the juvenile court
1691	1691	831
1692	1692	initially finds the minor not competent to proceed, the court shall terminate the
1693	1693	832
1694	1694	competency proceedings and dismiss the petition or information filed without prejudice,
1695	1695	833
1696	1696	unless good cause is shown that there is a substantial likelihood the minor will attain
1697	1697	834
1698	1698	competency within one year from the initial finding of not competent to proceed.
1699	1699	835
1700	1700	(13) In the event a minor has an unauthorized leave lasting more than 24 hours, the
1701	1701	836
1702	1702	attainment period shall toll until the minor returns.
1703	1703	837
1704	1704	(14)(a) Regardless of whether a minor consents to attainment, any statement made by
1705	1705	838
1706	1706	the minor in the course of attainment, any testimony by the forensic evaluator based
1707	1707	839
1708	1708	upon any statement made by the minor in the course of attainment, and any other
1709	1709	840
1710	1710	fruits of a statement made by the minor in the course of attainment:
1711	1711	841
1712	1712	(i) may not be admitted in evidence against the minor in a proceeding under this
1713	1713	842
1714	1714	chapter, except the statement may be admitted on an issue respecting the mental
1715	1715	843
1716	1716	condition on which the minor has introduced evidence; and
1717	1717	844
1718	1718	(ii) may be admitted where relevant to a determination of the minor's competency.
1719	1719	845
1720	1720	(b) Before evaluating the minor during the attainment period, a forensic evaluator shall
1721	1721	846
1722	1722	specifically advise the minor, and the minor's parent or guardian if reasonably
1723	1723	- 25 - H.B. 338 01-27 12:45
1724	1724	847
1725	1725	available, of the limits of confidentiality provided in Subsection (14)(a).
1726	1726	848
1727	1727	Section 11. Effective Date.
1728	1728	849
1729	1729	This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
1730	1730	- 26 -