BILL NUMBER: AB 2858 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Leno and Yee
FEBRUARY 24, 2006
An act to amend Section 1370 of the Penal Code, relating to
competency.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2858, as introduced, Leno Trials: mental competence:
defendant.
Existing law requires a that defendant be committed to a state
hospital when he or she is found incompetent to stand trial. Existing
law also requires that if the defendant has not regained competency
after 3 years or the maximum term of imprisonment provided by law for
the most serious charged offense, whichever is shorter, he or she
will be returned to the committing court.
This bill would require the defendant to be returned to the
committing court when there has been a reasonable amount of time to
determine if the defendant will ever regain mental competence based
on consideration of specified factors.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 1370 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
1370. (a) (1) (A) If the defendant is found mentally competent,
the criminal process shall resume, the trial on the offense charged
shall proceed, and judgment may be pronounced.
(B) If the defendant is found mentally incompetent, the trial or
judgment shall be suspended until the person becomes mentally
competent.
(i) In the meantime, the court shall order that the mentally
incompetent defendant be delivered by the sheriff to a state hospital
for the care and treatment of the mentally disordered, or to any
other available public or private treatment facility approved by the
community program director that will promote the defendant's speedy
restoration to mental competence, or placed on outpatient status as
specified in Section 1600.
(ii) However, if the action against the defendant who has been
found mentally incompetent is on a complaint charging a felony
offense specified in Section 290, the prosecutor shall determine
whether the defendant previously has been found mentally incompetent
to stand trial pursuant to this chapter on a charge of a Section 290
offense, or whether the defendant is currently the subject of a
pending Section 1368 proceeding arising out of a charge of a Section
290 offense. If either determination is made, the prosecutor shall so
notify the court and defendant in writing. After this notification,
and opportunity for hearing, the court shall order that the defendant
be delivered by the sheriff to a state hospital or other secure
treatment facility for the care and treatment of the mentally
disordered unless the court makes specific findings on the record
that an alternative placement would provide more appropriate
treatment for the defendant and would not pose a danger to the health
and safety of others.
(iii) If the action against the defendant who has been found
mentally incompetent is on a complaint charging a felony offense
specified in Section 290 and the defendant has been denied bail
pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12 of Article I of the
California Constitution because the court has found, based upon clear
and convincing evidence, a substantial likelihood that the person's
release would result in great bodily harm to others, the court shall
order that the defendant be delivered by the sheriff to a state
hospital for the care and treatment of the mentally disordered unless
the court makes specific findings on the record that an alternative
placement would provide more appropriate treatment for the defendant
and would not pose a danger to the health and safety of others.
(iv) The clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Justice
in writing of any finding of mental incompetence with respect to a
defendant who is subject to clause (ii) or (iii) for inclusion in his
or her state summary criminal history information.
(C) Upon the filing of a certificate of restoration to competence,
the court shall order that the defendant be returned to court in
accordance with Section 1372. The court shall transmit a copy of its
order to the community program director or a designee.
(D) A defendant charged with a violent felony may not be delivered
to a state hospital or treatment facility pursuant to this
subdivision unless the state hospital or treatment facility has a
secured perimeter or a locked and controlled treatment facility, and
the judge determines that the public safety will be protected.
(E) For purposes of this paragraph, "violent felony" means an
offense specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5.
(F) A defendant charged with a violent felony may be placed on
outpatient status, as specified in Section 1600, only if the court
finds that the placement will not pose a danger to the health or
safety of others.
(2) Prior to making the order directing that the defendant be
confined in a state hospital or other treatment facility or placed on
outpatient status, the court shall proceed as follows:
(A) The court shall order the community program director or a
designee to evaluate the defendant and to submit to the court within
15 judicial days of the order a written recommendation as to whether
the defendant should be required to undergo outpatient treatment, or
committed to a state hospital or to any other treatment facility. No
person shall be admitted to a state hospital or other treatment
facility or placed on outpatient status under this section without
having been evaluated by the community program director or a
designee.
(B) The court shall hear and determine whether the defendant, with
advice of his or her counsel, consents to the administration of
antipsychotic medication, and shall proceed as follows:
(i) If the defendant, with advice of his or her counsel, consents,
the court order of commitment shall include confirmation that
antipsychotic medication may be given to the defendant as prescribed
by a treating psychiatrist pursuant to the defendant's consent. The
commitment order shall also indicate that, if the defendant withdraws
consent for antipsychotic medication, after the treating
psychiatrist complies with the provisions of subparagraph (C), the
defendant shall be returned to court for a hearing in accordance with
this subdivision regarding whether antipsychotic medication shall be
administered involuntarily.
(ii) If the defendant does not consent to the administration of
medication, the court shall hear and determine whether any of the
following is true:
(I) The defendant lacks capacity to make decisions regarding
antipsychotic medication, the defendant's mental disorder requires
medical treatment with antipsychotic medication, and, if the
defendant's mental disorder is not treated with antipsychotic
medication, it is probable that serious harm to the physical or
mental health of the patient will result. Probability of serious harm
to the physical or mental health of the defendant requires evidence
that the defendant is presently suffering adverse effects to his or
her physical or mental health, or the defendant has previously
suffered these effects as a result of a mental disorder and his or
her condition is substantially deteriorating. The fact that a
defendant has a diagnosis of a mental disorder does not alone
establish probability of serious harm to the physical or mental
health of the defendant.
(II) The defendant is a danger to others, in that the defendant
has inflicted, attempted to inflict, or made a serious threat of
inflicting substantial physical harm on another while in custody, or
the defendant had inflicted, attempted to inflict, or made a serious
threat of inflicting substantial physical harm on another that
resulted in his or her being taken into custody, and the defendant
presents, as a result of mental disorder or mental defect, a
demonstrated danger of inflicting substantial physical harm on
others. Demonstrated danger may be based on an assessment of the
defendant's present mental condition, including a consideration of
past behavior of the defendant within six years prior to the time the
defendant last attempted to inflict, inflicted, or threatened to
inflict substantial physical harm on another, and other relevant
evidence.
(III) The people have charged the defendant with a serious crime
against the person or property; involuntary administration of
antipsychotic medication is substantially likely to render the
defendant competent to stand trial; the medication is unlikely to
have side effects that interfere with the defendant's ability to
understand the nature of the criminal proceedings or to assist
counsel in the conduct of a defense in a reasonable manner; less
intrusive treatments are unlikely to have substantially the same
results; and antipsychotic medication is in the patient's best
medical interest in light of his or her medical condition.
(iii) If the court finds any of the conditions described in clause
(ii) to be true, the court shall issue an order authorizing the
treatment facility to involuntarily administer antipsychotic
medication to the defendant when and as prescribed by the defendant's
treating psychiatrist. The court shall not order involuntary
administration of psychotropic medication under subclause (III) of
clause (ii) unless the court has first found that the defendant does
not meet the criteria for involuntary administration of psychotropic
medication under subclause (I) of clause (ii) and does not meet the
criteria under subclause (II) of clause (ii).
(iv) In all cases, the treating hospital, facility or program may
administer medically appropriate antipsychotic medication prescribed
by a psychiatrist in an emergency as described in subdivision (m) of
Section 5008 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(v) Any report made pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b)
shall include a description of any antipsychotic medication
administered to the defendant and its effects and side effects,
including effects on the defendant's appearance or behavior that
would affect the defendant's ability to understand the nature of the
criminal proceedings or to assist counsel in the conduct of a defense
in a reasonable manner. During the time the defendant is confined in
a state hospital or other treatment facility or placed on outpatient
status, either the defendant or the people may request that the
court review any order made pursuant to this subdivision. The
defendant, to the same extent enjoyed by other patients in the state
hospital or other treatment facility, shall have the right to contact
the Patients' Rights Advocate regarding his or her rights under this
section.
(C) If the defendant consented to antipsychotic medication as
described in clause (i) of subparagraph (B), but subsequently
withdraws his or her consent, or, if involuntary antipsychotic
medication was not ordered pursuant to clause (ii) of subparagraph
(B), and the treating psychiatrist determines that antipsychotic
medication has become medically necessary and appropriate, the
treating psychiatrist shall make efforts to obtain informed consent
from the defendant for antipsychotic medication. If informed consent
is not obtained from the defendant, and the treating psychiatrist is
of the opinion that the defendant lacks capacity to make decisions
regarding antipsychotic medication as specified in subclause (I) of
clause (ii) of subparagraph (B), or that the defendant is a danger to
others as specified in subclause (II) of clause (ii) of subparagraph
(B), the committing court shall be notified of this, including an
assessment of the current mental status of the defendant and the
opinion of the treating psychiatrist that involuntary antipsychotic
medication has become medically necessary and appropriate. The court
shall provide notice to the prosecuting attorney and to the attorney
representing the defendant and shall set a hearing to determine
whether involuntary antipsychotic medication should be ordered in the
manner described in subparagraph (B).
(3) When the court orders that the defendant be confined in a
state hospital or other public or private treatment facility, the
court shall provide copies of the following documents which shall be
taken with the defendant to the state hospital or other treatment
facility where the defendant is to be confined:
(A) The commitment order, including a specification of the
charges.
(B) A computation or statement setting forth the maximum term of
commitment in accordance with subdivision (c).
(C) A computation or statement setting forth the amount of credit
for time served, if any, to be deducted from the maximum term of
commitment.
(D) State summary criminal history information.
(E) Any arrest reports prepared by the police department or other
law enforcement agency.
(F) Any court-ordered psychiatric examination or evaluation
reports.
(G) The community program director's placement recommendation
report.
(H) Records of any finding of mental incompetence pursuant to this
chapter arising out of a complaint charging a felony offense
specified in Section 290 or any pending Section 1368 proceeding
arising out of a charge of a Section 290 offense.
(4) When the defendant is committed to a treatment facility
pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) or the
court makes the findings specified in clause (ii) or (iii) of
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) to assign the defendant to a
treatment facility other than a state hospital or other secure
treatment facility, the court shall order that notice be given to the
appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies having local
jurisdiction at the site of the placement facility of any finding of
mental incompetence pursuant to this chapter arising out of a charge
of a Section 290 offense.
(5) When directing that the defendant be confined in a state
hospital pursuant to this subdivision, the court shall select the
hospital in accordance with the policies established by the State
Department of Mental Health.
(6) (A) If the defendant is committed or transferred to a state
hospital pursuant to this section, the court may, upon receiving the
written recommendation of the medical director of the state hospital
and the community program director that the defendant be transferred
to a public or private treatment facility approved by the community
program director, order the defendant transferred to that facility.
If the defendant is committed or transferred to a public or private
treatment facility approved by the community program director, the
court may, upon receiving the written recommendation of the community
program director, transfer the defendant to a state hospital or to
another public or private treatment facility approved by the
community program director. In the event of dismissal of the criminal
charges before the defendant recovers competence, the person shall
be subject to the applicable provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short
Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the
Welfare and Institutions Code). Where either the defendant or the
prosecutor chooses to contest either kind of order of transfer, a
petition may be filed in the court for a hearing, which shall be held
if the court determines that sufficient grounds exist. At the
hearing, the prosecuting attorney or the defendant may present
evidence bearing on the order of transfer. The court shall use the
same standards as are used in conducting probation revocation
hearings pursuant to Section 1203.2.
Prior to making an order for transfer under this section, the
court shall notify the defendant, the attorney of record for the
defendant, the prosecuting attorney, and the community program
director or a designee.
(B) If the defendant is initially committed to a state hospital or
secure treatment facility pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) and is subsequently transferred to
any other facility, copies of the documents specified in paragraph
(3) shall be taken with the defendant to each subsequent facility to
which the defendant is transferred. The transferring facility shall
also notify the appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies having
local jurisdiction at the site of the new facility that the
defendant is a person subject to clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph
(B) of paragraph (1).
(b) (1) Within Where the defendant is on
inpatient status and has not regained mental competence within
90 days of a commitment made pursuant to subdivision (a), the medical
director of the state hospital or other treatment facility to which
the defendant is confined shall make a written report to the court
and the community program director for the county or region of
commitment, or a designee, concerning the defendant's progress toward
recovery of mental competence. Where the defendant is on
outpatient status, the outpatient treatment staff shall make a
written report to the community program director concerning the
defendant's progress toward recovery of mental competence. Within 90
days of placement on outpatient status, the community program
director shall report to the court on this matter. If the defendant
has not recovered mental competence, but the report discloses a
substantial likelihood that the defendant will regain mental
competence in the foreseeable future, the defendant shall remain in
the state hospital or other treatment facility or on outpatient
status. Thereafter, at six-month intervals or until the defendant
becomes mentally competent, where the defendant is confined in a
treatment facility, the medical director of the hospital or person in
charge of the facility shall report in writing to the court and the
community program director or a designee regarding the defendant's
progress toward recovery of mental competence. Where the defendant is
on outpatient status, after the initial 90-day report, the
outpatient treatment staff shall report to the community program
director on the defendant's progress toward recovery, and the
community program director shall report to the court on this matter
at six-month intervals. A copy of these reports shall be provided to
the prosecutor and defense counsel by the court. If the report
indicates that there is no substantial likelihood that the defendant
will regain mental competence in the foreseeable future, the
committing court shall order the defendant to be returned to the
court for proceedings pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
The court shall transmit a copy of its order to the community program
director or a designee.
(2) Where the defendant is on outpatient status, and has not
regained mental competence within 90 days of placement on the
outpatient status pursuant to subdivision (a), the outpatient
treatment staff shall make a written report to the court and the
community program director for the county or region of commitment, or
a designee, concerning the defendant's progress toward recovery of
mental competence.
(3) If the report submitted to the court pursuant to paragraph (1)
or (2) of this subdivision discloses a substantial likelihood that
the defendant will regain mental competence in the foreseeable
future, the defendant shall remain in the state hospital or other
treatment facility or on outpatient status.
(4) Thereafter, at six month intervals, unless the defendant
regains mental competence, the medical director of the inpatient
treatment facility or the outpatient treatment staff shall submit a
report to the court and the community program director for the county
or region of commitment, or a designee, concerning the defendant's
progress toward recovery of mental competence. The court shall serve
copies of these reports on the prosecutor and defense counsel.
(A) The defendant shall remain in the state hospital or other
treatment facility or on outpatient status, if, upon receipt and
review of the report, the court finds all of the following:
(i) The report discloses a substantial likelihood that the
defendant will regain mental competence in the foreseeable future.
(ii) The report discloses that substantial, identified progress
has been made toward competence since the last report was issued.
(iii) The nature of the offense charged, the likely penalty or
range of punishment for the charged offense, and the length of time
the defendant has already been confined weigh in favor of a continued
commitment.
(B) The defendant shall be returned to the committing court if the
court finds, upon receipt and review of the report, that the state
has had a reasonable amount of time to determine whether the
defendant will ever regain mental competence based on consideration
of all of the following:
(i) the amount of time the defendant has already been committed,
(ii) progress made toward competence,
(iii) the nature of the offense charged, and
(iv) the likely penalty or range of punishment for the charged
offense.
(2) Any defendant who has been committed or has been on outpatient
status for 18 months and is still hospitalized or on outpatient
status shall be returned to the committing court where a hearing
shall be held pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 1369.
The court shall transmit a copy of its order to the community program
director or a designee.
(3)
(5) If it is determined by the court that no treatment
for the defendant's mental impairment is being conducted, the
defendant shall be returned to the committing court. The court shall
transmit a copy of its order to the community program director or a
designee.
(4)
(6 ) At each review by the court specified
in this subdivision, the court shall determine if the security level
of housing and treatment is appropriate and may make an order in
accordance with its determination.
(c) (1) At the end of three years from the date of commitment or a
period of commitment equal to the maximum term of imprisonment
provided by law for the most serious offense charged in the
information, indictment, or misdemeanor complaint, whichever is
shorter, a defendant who has not recovered mental competence shall be
returned to the committing court. The court shall notify the
community program director or a designee of the return and of any
resulting court orders.
(2)
(c) (1) Whenever any defendant is
returned to the court pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of
subdivision (b) or paragraph (1) of this
subdivision and it appears to the court that the defendant
is gravely disabled, as defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1)
of subdivision (h) of Section 5008 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, the court shall order the conservatorship investigator of the
county of commitment of the defendant to initiate conservatorship
proceedings for the defendant pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with
Section 5350) of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code. Any hearings required in the conservatorship proceedings shall
be held in the superior court in the county that ordered the
commitment. The court shall transmit a copy of the order directing
initiation of conservatorship proceedings to the community program
director or a designee and shall notify the community program
director or a designee of the outcome of the proceedings.
(3) Where the defendant is confined in a treatment facility, a
copy of any report to the committing court regarding the defendant's
progress toward recovery of mental competence shall be provided by
the committing court to the prosecutor and to the defense counsel.
(d)
(2) The criminal action remains subject to dismissal
pursuant to Section 1385. If the criminal action is dismissed, the
court shall transmit a copy of the order of dismissal to the
community program director or a designee.
(e)
(3) If the criminal charge against the defendant is
dismissed, the defendant shall be released from any commitment
ordered under this section, but without prejudice to the initiation
of any proceedings that may be appropriate under the
Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of
Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(f)
(d) As used in this chapter, "community program
director" means the person, agency, or entity designated by the State
Department of Mental Health pursuant to Section 1605 of this code
and Section 4360 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(g)
(e) For the purpose of this section, "secure treatment
facility" shall not include, except for state mental hospitals, state
developmental centers, and correctional treatment facilities, any
facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
1250) of, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of, or Chapter 3.2
(commencing with Section 1569) of, Division 2 of the Health and
Safety Code, or any community board and care facility.