AN ACT ALLOWING COURT DISCRETION TO ADD A FAMILY VIOLENCE COMPONENT TO THE PRETRIAL SUPERVISED DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES.

SB 1505 allows courts to add a family violence treatment component to pretrial diversion programs for people with psychiatric disabilities accused of family violence crimes. The bill modifies existing law so that the Court Support Services Division must assess whether a defendant can participate in domestic violence treatment alongside mental health treatment, and courts may add this component to the treatment plan if appropriate. It directly affects defendants with psychiatric disabilities facing family violence charges who qualify for the diversion program. The key change gives courts flexibility to address both mental health needs and family violence behavior through coordinated treatment, while requiring victim notifications about program conditions.