SB 2814

AN ACT TO ENACT THE NONVIOLENT FIREARM OFFENSE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO DIRECT A COURT TO CONSTRUE THE TERM NONVIOLENT FIREARM-RELATED OFFENSE BROADLY; TO REQUIRE THE SENTENCING COURT TO ORDER ALL QUALIFYING OFFENDERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAM UNLESS THE COURT DETERMINES AN EXCEPTION APPLIES; TO PROVIDE THAT SATISFACTORY PROGRAM ATTENDANCE MAY, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE SENTENCING COURT, SATISFY THE CRIMINAL SENTENCE REQUIRED IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER CRIMINAL PENALTY OR FINE AUTHORIZED BY LAW; TO CREATE THE NONVIOLENT FIREARM OFFENSE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH; TO SET FORTH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF AN OFFENDER PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM MAY BE FINED FOR CAUSING THE ABSENCE OF THE OFFENDER; TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDING FOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMS MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH FEDERAL GRANTS, PRIVATE OR PHILANTHROPIC GRANTS, SUPPORT FROM EXISTING DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH FUNDS AND SPECIFIC APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A CERTIFIED REHABILITATION PROGRAM IS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OF AN OFFENDER'S RESIDENCE, THE COURT SHALL ALLOW VIRTUAL OR HYBRID PARTICIPATION; TO PROVIDE THE SCOPE OF THE ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.