Directs court to establish a period of commitment for persons found not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Joseph A. Griffo says this is needed

This bill would amend the procedure following the verdict of Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect. The bill would impose a period of confinement in a mental health facility for the defendant that would be equal to the sentence of imprisonment for which they would have served in a penal facility had they been found guilty of the crime with which they had been charged. The longer confinement would be beneficial for both the defendant and for the community at large. The defendant would have more time in the mental health facility where they are guaranteed treatment for their disease as well as having more time to gain skills to help them manage their disease once released and cope with any guilt associated with the crime(s) committed when found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. When treatment for mental illness is administered, studies show dramatic drops in rates of suicide, homelessness, violence and future incarcera- tion or hospitalization. This bill would also allow peace of mind for those victims or families of victims knowing that this person will be in a hospital receiving treatment for a significant amount of time and not able to harm them or their family in the near future. High profile cases like those of John Hinckley, Jr. who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan and Jared Lee Loughner of Arizona, who in 2011 shot and killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge while wounding 13 others including Congresswoman Gabr- ielle Giffords, demonstrate the need to make sure these dangerous indi- viduals are confined whether it be in a penal or mental health facility for a determined period of time. Once the individual has been confined for the determined period if they are assessed to be "healthy" by mental health professionals and experts, they would be able to go through the process of being released from such mental health facility. However, should they still be perceived to be a danger to themselves or others even after the period of determined confinement is reached the state shall follow necessary procedures to have such person civilly confined for their safety and that of the community.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.