CONCERNING SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS; AND TO UPDATE AND CLARIFY THE LAW CONCERNING DRUG COURT, MENTAL HEALTH COURT, VETERANS COURT, AND DWI/BWI SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS.

House Bill 1835 updates and clarifies the laws governing specialty court programs in Arkansas, such as drug, mental health, veterans, and DWI/BWI courts. It expands the official definition of these programs and establishes comprehensive guidelines for their evaluation and approval by the Supreme Court. The bill requires the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee to evaluate programs based on nationally recognized standards and ensure effective practices that reduce recidivism. It also modifies the process for record sealing upon successful completion of certain specialty court programs and outlines procedures for transferring participants between specialty court judges.