TITLE: Relating to the commitment of a defendant who is found incompetent to stand trial and who is a person with an intellectual disability.

SUMMARY: Relating to the commitment of a defendant who is found incompetent to stand trial and who is a person with an intellectual disability.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the commitment of a defendant who is found incompetent to stand trial and who is a person with an intellectual disability. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article 46B.073(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows: (c) If the defendant is charged with an offense listed in Article 17.032(a), other than an offense listed in Article 17.032(a)(6), or the indictment alleges an affirmative finding under Article 42A.054(c) or (d), the court shall enter an order committing the defendant:(1) to the maximum security unit of any facility designated by the Department of State Health Services, to an agency of the United States operating a mental hospital, or to a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital,if the defendant is a person with mental illness; or (2) to a forensic state supported living center designated under Section 555.002(a), Health and Safety Code, if the defendant is a person with an intellectual disability.SECTION 2. Article 46B.104, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows: Art. 46B.104. CIVIL COMMITMENT PLACEMENT: FINDING OF VIOLENCE. (a) A defendant who is a person with mental illness and who is committed to a facility as a result of proceedings initiated under this chapter shall be committed to the maximum security unit of any facility designated by the Department of State Health Services if: (1) the defendant is charged with an offense listed in Article 17.032(a), other than an offense listed in Article 17.032(a)(6); or (2) the indictment charging the offense alleges an affirmative finding under Article 42A.054(c) or (d). (b) A defendant who is a person with an intellectual disability and who is committed to a facility as a result of proceedings initiated under this chapter shall be committed to a forensic state supported living center designated under Section 555.002(a), Health and Safety Code, if: (1) the defendant is charged with an offense listed in Article 17.032(a), other than an offense listed in Article 17.032(a)(6); or (2) the indictment charging the offense alleges an affirmative finding under Article 42A.054(c) or (d). SECTION 3. The heading to Article 46B.105, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows: Art. 46B.105. TRANSFER FOLLOWING CIVIL COMMITMENT PLACEMENT:MENTAL ILLNESS.SECTION 4. Articles 46B.105(a), (b), and (d), Code of Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows: (a) Unless a defendant who is a person with mental illness is determined to be manifestly dangerous by a review board established under Subsection (b), not later than the 60th day after the date the defendant arrives at the maximum security unit, the defendant shall be transferred to: (1) a unit of an inpatient mental health facility other than a maximum security unit; or (2) [a residential care facility; or [(3)] a program designated by a local mental health authority [or a local intellectual and developmental disability authority].(b) The commissioner of state health services shall appoint a review board of five members, including one psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine in this state and two persons who work directly with persons with mental illness [or an intellectual disability],to determine whether the defendant is manifestly dangerous and whether,as a result of the danger the defendant presents, the defendant requires continued placement in a maximum security unit. (d) A finding that the defendant is not manifestly dangerous is not a medical determination that the defendant no longer meets the criteria for involuntary civil commitment under Subtitle C[or D],Title 7, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 5. Subchapter E, Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 46B.1055 to read as follows: Art. 46B.1055. TRANSFER FOLLOWING CIVIL COMMITMENT PLACEMENT: INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY. (a) Unless a defendant who is a person with an intellectual disability is determined to be a high-risk alleged offender under Section 555.003, Health and Safety Code, not later than the 30th day after the date the defendant arrives at the forensic state supported living center designated under Section 555.002(a) of that code, the defendant shall be transferred to: (1) a unit of a state supported living center other than a forensic state supported living center; or (2) a program designated by a local intellectual and developmental disability authority. (b) In accordance with Section 555.003, Health and Safety Code, the defendant's interdisciplinary team shall determine whether the defendant is a high-risk alleged offender and whether, as a result of the danger the defendant presents, the defendant requires continued placement in a forensic state supported living center. (c) A finding that the defendant is not a high-risk alleged offender is not a medical determination that the defendant no longer meets the criteria for involuntary civil commitment under Subtitle D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 6. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a proceeding under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure, that commences on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless of when the defendant may have committed the underlying offense for which the defendant became subject to the proceeding. SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.