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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies provisions relating to competency to stand trial.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ defines terms and modifies definitions;
13 ▸ modifies procedures and requirements for finding a defendant incompetent to stand
14 trial in a criminal proceeding, including provisions relating to:
15 • the court in which a petition to determine competency may be filed;
16 • the information and circumstances on which the forensic evaluation of a
17 defendant may be based;
18 • the number of forensic evaluators required to evaluate a defendant;
19 • the court's findings regarding a defendant's competency; and
20 • commitment of an incompetent defendant for restoration treatment; and
21 ▸ makes technical changes.
22 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23 None
24 Other Special Clauses:
25 None
26 Utah Code Sections Affected:
27 AMENDS:
28 77-15-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 147
29 77-15-3.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 147
30 77-15-5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 147
31 77-15-6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 147
32
33 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
34 Section 1. Section 77-15-2 is amended to read:
35 77-15-2. Definitions.
36 As used in this chapter:
37 (1) "Competency evaluation" means an evaluation conducted by a forensic evaluator to
38 determine if an individual is competent to stand trial.
39 (2) "Competent to stand trial" means that a defendant has:
40 (a) a rational and factual understanding of the criminal proceedings against the
41 defendant and of the punishment specified for the offense charged; and
42 (b) the ability to consult with the defendant's legal counsel with a reasonable degree of
43 rational understanding in order to assist in the defense.
44 (3) "Department" means the Department of Health and Human Services.
45 (4) "Forensic evaluator" means a licensed mental health professional who [
46 (a) is not involved in the defendant's treatment; [
47 (b) is trained and qualified by the department to conduct a competency evaluation, a
48 restoration screening, and a progress toward competency evaluation[
49 experience, or education relating to:
50 (i) intellectual functioning or psychopathology; and
51 (ii) the legal system and the rights of a defendant in a criminal trial; and
52 (c) if under contract with the department, demonstrates ongoing education and training
53 relating to forensic mental health in accordance with rules established by the department in
54 accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
55 (5) "Incompetent to proceed" means that a defendant is not competent to stand trial[
56 as a result of:
57 (a) mental illness; or
58 (b) intellectual disability
59 (6) "Intellectual disability" means an intellectual disability as defined in the current
60 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the
61 American Psychiatric Association.
62 (7) "Mental illness" means the same as that term is defined in Section 62A-15-602.
63 [
64 is competent to stand trial.
65 [
66 whether an individual who is receiving restoration treatment is:
67 (a) competent to stand trial;
68 (b) incompetent to proceed but has a substantial probability of becoming competent to
69 stand trial in the foreseeable future; or
70 (c) incompetent to proceed and does not have a substantial probability of becoming
71 competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future.
72 [
73
74
75 [
76 (a) provided to an individual who is incompetent to proceed;
77 (b) tailored to the individual's particular impairment to competency; and
78 (c) limited to the purpose of restoring the individual to competency.
79 Section 2. Section 77-15-3.5 is amended to read:
80 77-15-3.5. Incompetent to proceed in misdemeanor cases.
81 (1) When a defendant charged with a misdemeanor [
82 proceed, a petition [
83
84 (2) If the most severe charge against a defendant is a misdemeanor and the defendant is
85 adjudicated by a court as incompetent to proceed:
86 (a) the department shall provide restoration treatment to the defendant; and
87 (b) the court may refer the defendant to pretrial diversion services, upon agreement of
88 the prosecution and defense counsel.
89 (3) Unless the prosecutor or another individual indicates that civil commitment
90 proceedings will be initiated under Subsection 77-15-6(5)(c), a court shall release a defendant
91 who is incompetent to proceed if:
92 (a) the most severe charge against the defendant is [
93 misdemeanor;
94 (b) more than 60 days have passed after the day on which the court adjudicated the
95 defendant incompetent to proceed; [
96 (c) restoration treatment has been provided to the defendant; and
97 [
98 (4) [
99 who was released under Subsection (3).
100 Section 3. Section 77-15-5 is amended to read:
101 77-15-5. Order for hearing -- Stay of other proceedings -- Examinations of
102 defendant -- Scope of examination and report.
103 (1) A court in which criminal proceedings are pending shall stay all criminal
104 proceedings, if:
105 (a) a petition is filed under Section 77-15-3 or 77-15-3.5; or
106 (b) the court raises the issue of the defendant's competency under Section 77-15-4.
107 (2) The court in which the petition described in Subsection (1)(a) is filed:
108 (a) shall inform the court in which criminal proceedings are pending of the petition, if
109 the petition is not filed in the court in which criminal proceedings are pending;
110 (b) shall review the allegations of incompetency;
111 (c) may hold a limited hearing solely for the purpose of determining the sufficiency of
112 the petition, if the court finds the petition is not clearly sufficient on its face;
113 (d) shall hold a hearing, if the petition is opposed by either party; and
114 (e) may not order an examination of the defendant or order a hearing on the mental
115 condition of the defendant unless the court finds that the allegations in the petition raise a bona
116 fide doubt as to the defendant's competency to stand trial[
117 [
118 to the defendant's competency to stand trial, the court shall order[
119 or two forensic evaluators complete a competency evaluation for the defendant in accordance
120 with Subsection (3)(b) and provide a report to the court regarding the competency of the
121 defendant to stand trial.
122 [
123 [
124 [
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135 [
136 (b) The court shall order the department to have the defendant evaluated by one
137 forensic evaluator unless:
138 (i) the defendant is charged with a capital felony; or
139 (ii) the defendant is charged with a felony that is not a capital felony, and the court
140 determines, based on the allegations in the petition, that good cause exists to order two
141 competency evaluations.
142 (c) (i) This section does not prohibit a party from seeking an additional forensic
143 evaluator to conduct a competency evaluation of the defendant.
144 (ii) If a party seeks an additional competency evaluation under this Subsection (3)(c),
145 the party shall:
146 (A) select the additional forensic evaluator; and
147 (B) pay the costs of the additional forensic evaluator.
148 (d) The stipulation by parties to a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's competency to
149 stand trial may not take the place of a competency evaluation ordered under this Subsection (3).
150 [
151 defendant may have [
152 least one forensic evaluator who is experienced in [
153 assessments of intellectual disabilities shall conduct a competency evaluation.
154 (b) The petitioner or other party, as directed by the court or requested by the
155 department, shall provide to the forensic evaluator nonmedical information and materials
156 relevant to a determination of the defendant's competency, including the charging document,
157 arrest or incident reports pertaining to the charged offense, and known criminal history
158 information[
159 (c) For purposes of a competency evaluation, a [
160 custodian of mental health records pertaining to the defendant [
161
162 prior mental health evaluations or records relating to the defendant's substance use disorder,
163 may provide the records to:
164 (i) with the defendant's consent, a forensic evaluator or the department on the
165 department's request; or
166 (ii) a forensic evaluator by court order.
167 (d) A court order under Subsection (4)(c) shall include a protective order that expires
168 180 days after the day on which:
169 (i) the defendant is found guilty;
170 (ii) the defendant enters a guilty plea;
171 (iii) the court sentences the defendant; or
172 (iv) if the case is appealed, the day on which the final appeal is resolved.
173 (e) (i) Except as otherwise provided by law and in Subsections (4)(e)(ii) and (4)(f), the
174 court shall order the forensic evaluator to destroy all records subject to the protective order
175 within the 180 day period described in Subsection (4)(d).
176 (ii) A forensic evaluator is not required to destroy the records subject to the protective
177 order if destroying the records is a violation of ethical standards to which the forensic evaluator
178 is subject for occupational licensing.
179 (f) The court may extend the protective order described in Subsection (4)(d) if:
180 (i) the court finds the defendant incompetent to proceed without a substantial
181 probability that the defendant will become competent in the foreseeable future;
182 (ii) the prosecutor or another individual indicates to the court that the prosecutor or
183 other individual will seek civil commitment of the defendant under Section 77-15-6; and
184 (iii) the court orders the records be maintained and used only for the purposes of
185 examining the defendant in connection with the petition for civil commitment.
186 [
187 inquiry into the mental state of the defendant that is not described in this Subsection (4).
188 [
189 otherwise, the defendant shall be retained in the same custody or status that the defendant was
190 in at the time the examination was ordered.
191 [
192
193 addition to any other factors determined to be relevant by the forensic evaluator:
194 (a) (i) the impact of the defendant's mental illness or intellectual disability on the
195 defendant's present ability to:
196 [
197 defendant; and
198 [
199 understanding in order to assist in the defense;
200 (b) in making the determinations described in Subsection (6)(a), the forensic evaluator
201 may consider:
202 (i) the defendant's present ability to:
203 [
204 [
205 [
206 allegations against the defendant;
207 [
208 [
209 [
210 [
211 [
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214 [
215 [
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218 psychological symptoms relevant to the defendant's capacity to stand trial.
219 [
220 is incompetent to proceed, the forensic evaluator shall indicate in the report to the court:
221 (a) the factors that contribute to the defendant's incompetency, including the nature of
222 the defendant's mental [
223 intellectual disability, if any, and its relationship to the factors contributing to the defendant's
224 incompetency; [
225 (b) whether there is a substantial probability that:
226 (i) restoration treatment may[
227 competency to stand trial[
228 (ii) the defendant cannot become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future[
229 (c) whether the defendant would benefit from restoration treatment; and
230 (d) if the forensic evaluator makes the determination under Subsection (7)(b)(i) or
231 (7)(c), an explanation of the reason for the determination and a summary of the treatment
232 provided to the defendant in the past.
233 [
234 prosecuting and defense attorneys within 30 days of the receipt of the court's order. The report
235 shall inform the court of the examiner's opinion concerning the competency of the defendant to
236 stand trial.
237 (b) (i) If the forensic evaluator is unable to complete the report in the time specified in
238 Subsection [
239 (ii) A forensic evaluator who provides the notice described in Subsection [
240 (8)(b)(i) shall receive a 15-day extension, giving the forensic evaluator a total of 45 days after
241 the day on which the forensic evaluator received the court's order to conduct a competency
242 evaluation and file a report.
243 (iii) The court may further extend the deadline for completion of the evaluation and
244 report if the court determines that there is good cause for the extension.
245 (iv) Upon receipt of an extension described in Subsection [
246 forensic evaluator shall file the report as soon as reasonably possible.
247 [
248 (a) identify the case ordered for evaluation by the case number;
249 (b) describe the procedures, techniques, and tests used in the examination and the
250 purpose or purposes for each, the time spent by the forensic evaluator with the defendant for
251 purposes of the examination, and the compensation to be paid by the evaluator for the report;
252 (c) state the forensic evaluator's clinical observations, findings, and opinions on each
253 [
254
255 (d) identify the sources of information used by the forensic evaluator and present the
256 basis for the forensic evaluator's clinical findings and opinions.
257 [
258 examination, whether the examination is with or without the consent of the defendant, any
259 testimony by a forensic evaluator based upon the statement, and any other fruits of the
260 statement may not be admitted in evidence against the defendant in any criminal proceeding
261 except on an issue respecting mental condition on which the defendant has introduced
262 evidence[
263 a determination of the defendant's competency.
264 (b) Before examining the defendant, the forensic evaluator shall specifically advise the
265 defendant of the limits of confidentiality as provided under Subsection [
266 [
267 for a competency hearing. The hearing shall be held not less than [
268 days after the day on which the court received the forensic evaluators' reports, unless for good
269 cause the court sets a later date.
270 (b) Any person directed by the department to conduct the competency evaluation may
271 be subpoenaed to testify at the hearing.
272 (c) The court may call any forensic evaluator to testify at the hearing who is not called
273 by the parties. If the court calls a forensic evaluator, counsel for the parties may cross-examine
274 the forensic evaluator.
275 (d) (i) If the forensic evaluators are in conflict as to the competency of the defendant,
276 all forensic evaluators should be called to testify at the hearing if reasonably available.
277 (ii) A conflict in the opinions of the forensic evaluators does not require the
278 appointment of an additional forensic evaluator unless the court [
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281 court, by a preponderance of the evidence, finds the defendant incompetent to proceed.
282 (ii) The burden of proof is upon the proponent of incompetency at the hearing.
283 (b) An adjudication of incompetent to proceed does not operate as an adjudication of
284 incompetency to give informed consent for medical treatment or for any other purpose, unless
285 specifically set forth in the court order.
286 [
287 consider the totality of the circumstances, which may include the testimony of lay witnesses,
288 [
289 testimony and report, the materials on which the report is based, and any other relevant
290 considerations.
291 [
292 (a) the court shall issue the order described in Subsection 77-15-6(1), which shall:
293 (i) include findings addressing each of the factors in Subsection [
294 (ii) include a transportation order, if necessary;
295 (iii) be accompanied by the forensic evaluators' reports, any psychiatric, psychological,
296 or social work reports submitted to the court relative to the mental condition of the defendant,
297 and any other documents made available to the court by either the defense or the prosecution,
298 pertaining to the defendant's current or past mental condition; and
299 (iv) be sent by the court to the department; and
300 (b) the prosecuting attorney shall provide to the department:
301 (i) the charging document and probable cause statement, if any;
302 (ii) arrest or incident reports prepared by law enforcement and pertaining to the
303 charged offense; and
304 (iii) additional supporting documents.
305 [
306 section.
307 [
308 criminal charges.
309 Section 4. Section 77-15-6 is amended to read:
310 77-15-6. Commitment on finding of incompetency to stand trial -- Subsequent
311 hearings -- Notice to prosecuting attorneys.
312 (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (5), if after a hearing a court finds a defendant
313 to be incompetent to proceed, the court shall order the defendant committed to the department
314 for restoration treatment.
315 (b) (i) [
316 may not order placement of [
317 (ii) The court may[
318 rather than a nonsecure setting.
319 (c) Following restoration screening, the department's designee shall designate and
320 inform the court of the specific placement and restoration treatment program for the defendant.
321 [
322 (i) restore the [
323 (ii) determine whether the [
324 foreseeable future.
325 [
326 not be held for restoration treatment longer than:
327 (i) the time reasonably necessary to determine [
328
329 that the defendant cannot become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future; and
330 (ii) the maximum period of incarceration that the defendant could receive if the
331 defendant were convicted of the most severe offense of the offenses charged.
332 (2) (a) A defendant who is receiving restoration treatment shall receive a progress
333 toward competency evaluation, by:
334 (i) a forensic evaluator, designated by the department; and
335 (ii) an additional forensic evaluator, if requested by a party and paid for by the
336 requesting party.
337 (b) A forensic evaluator shall complete a progress toward competency evaluation and
338 submit a report within 90 days after the day on which the forensic evaluator receives the
339 commitment order from the department. [
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344 (c) The report shall:
345 (i) assess whether the defendant is exhibiting false or exaggerated physical or
346 psychological symptoms;
347 (ii) describe any diagnostic instruments, methods, and observations used by the
348 [
349 (iii) describe the defendant's current mental illness or intellectual disability, if any;
350 [
351 exaggerated symptoms on the defendant's competency to stand trial;
352 [
353 treatment for the defendant;
354 [
355 [
356 restoration, with respect to the factors identified by the court in its initial order;
357 (viii) assess whether the defendant can reasonably be restored to competency in the
358 foreseeable future given the restoration treatment currently being provided and the facility's or
359 program's capacity to provide appropriate restoration treatment for the defendant; and
360 [
361
362 [
363 estimated to achieve competency, or the amount of time estimated to determine whether
364 restoration to competency may be achieved.
365 (3) (a) The court on its own motion or upon motion by either party or the department
366 may appoint an additional forensic evaluator to conduct a progress toward competency
367 evaluation.
368 (b) If the court appoints an additional forensic evaluator upon motion of a party, that
369 party shall pay the costs of the additional forensic evaluator.
370 (4) (a) Within 15 days after the day on which the court receives the forensic evaluator's
371 report of the progress toward competency evaluation, the court shall hold a hearing to review
372 the defendant's competency.
373 (b) At the hearing, the burden of proving that the defendant is [
374 to stand trial is on the proponent of [
375 (c) Following the hearing, the court shall determine by a preponderance of evidence
376 whether the defendant is:
377 [
378 [
379 become competent in the foreseeable future; or
380 [
381 may become competent in the foreseeable future.
382 (5) (a) If at any time the court determines that the defendant is competent to stand trial,
383 the court shall:
384 (i) proceed with the trial or other procedures as may be necessary to adjudicate the
385 charges; and
386 (ii) order that the defendant be returned to the placement and status that the defendant
387 was in at the time when the petition for the adjudication of competency was filed or raised by
388 the court, unless the court determines that [
389 restrictive environment is more appropriate.
390 (b) If the court determines that the defendant is [
391 proceed [
392 competent in the foreseeable future, the court may order that the defendant remain committed
393 to the department or the department's designee for the purpose of restoration treatment.
394 (c) (i) If the court determines that the defendant is incompetent to proceed [
395
396 foreseeable future, the court shall order the defendant released from commitment to the
397 department, unless the prosecutor or another individual informs the court that civil
398 commitment proceedings pursuant to Title 62A, Chapter 5, Services for People with
399 Disabilities, or Title 62A, Chapter 15, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Act, will be
400 initiated.
401 (ii) [
402 seven days after the day on which the court makes the determination described in Subsection
403 [
404 civil commitment proceedings.
405 (iii) The court may order the defendant to remain [
406 the department until the civil commitment proceedings conclude.
407 (iv) If the defendant is civilly committed and admitted to a secure setting, the
408 department shall [
409 to proceed and to the prosecution agency that prosecuted the case at least [
410 any proposed release of the committed individual from the secure setting.
411 (6) If a court, under Subsection (5)(b), extends a defendant's commitment, the court
412 shall schedule a competency review hearing for the earlier of:
413 (a) the department's best estimate of when the defendant may be restored to
414 competency; or
415 (b) three months after the day on which the court determined under Subsection (5)(b)
416 to extend the defendant's commitment.
417 (7) [
418 defendant is [
419 hearing that follows the extension of a defendant's commitment, [
420 (a) [
421
422 (i) released[
423 [
424
425 [
426 treatment[
427 (b) if the forensic evaluator reports to the court that there is a substantial probability
428 that restoration treatment will bring the defendant to competency to stand trial in the
429 foreseeable future, extend the defendant's commitment for restoration treatment up to 45
430 additional days.
431 (8) If the defendant [
432 murder, manslaughter, or a first degree felony and the court determines that the defendant is
433 making reasonable progress towards restoration of competency at the time of the hearing held
434 pursuant to Subsection (6), the court may extend the commitment for a period not to exceed [
435 nine months for the purpose of restoration treatment, with a mandatory review hearing at the
436 end of the [
437 (9) [
438 murder, if, at the nine-month review hearing described in Subsection (8), the court determines
439 that the defendant is [
440 (a) (i) order the defendant[
441
442 [
443 [
444
445 [
446 treatment[
447 (b) if the forensic evaluator reports to the court that there is a substantial probability
448 that restoration treatment will bring the defendant to competency to stand trial in the
449 foreseeable future, extend the defendant's commitment for restoration treatment for up to 135
450 additional days.
451 (10) If the defendant [
452 court determines that the defendant is making reasonable progress towards restoration of
453 competency at the time of the [
454 (8), the court may extend the commitment for a period not to exceed 24 months for the purpose
455 of restoration treatment.
456 (11) If the court extends the defendant's commitment term under Subsection (10), the
457 court shall hold a hearing no less frequently than at 12-month intervals following the extension
458 for the purpose of determining the defendant's competency status.
459 (12) If, at the end of the 24-month commitment period described in Subsection (10),
460 the court determines that the defendant is [
461 shall:
462 (a) (i) order the defendant [
463 [
464 [
465
466 [
467 treatment[
468 (b) if the forensic evaluator reports to the court that there is a substantial probability
469 that restoration treatment will bring the defendant to competency to stand trial in the
470 foreseeable future, extend the defendant's commitment for restoration treatment for up to 12
471 additional months.
472 (13) (a) Neither release from a pretrial incompetency commitment under the provisions
473 of this section nor civil commitment requires dismissal of criminal charges.
474 (b) The court may retain jurisdiction over the criminal case and may order periodic
475 reviews.
476 (14) A defendant who is civilly committed pursuant to Title 62A, Chapter 5, Services
477 for People with Disabilities, or Title 62A, Chapter 15, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
478 Act, may still be adjudicated competent to stand trial under this chapter.
479 (15) (a) The remedy for a violation of the time periods specified in this section, other
480 than those specified in Subsection (5)(c), (7), (9), or (12), shall be a motion to compel the
481 hearing, or mandamus, but not release from detention or dismissal of the criminal charges.
482 (b) The remedy for a violation of the time periods specified in Subsection (5)(c), (7),
483 (9), or (12), or is not dismissal of the criminal charges.
484 (16) In cases in which the treatment of the defendant is precluded by court order for a
485 period of time, that time period may not be considered in computing time limitations under this
486 section.
487 (17) (a) [
488 trial while the defendant is committed to the department, the clinical director of the [
489 Utah State Hospital, the department, or the department's designee shall certify that fact to the
490 court.
491 (b) The court shall conduct a competency review hearing:
492 (i) within 15 working days after the day on which the court receives the certification
493 described in Subsection (17)(a); or
494 (ii) within 30 working days after the day on which the court receives the certification
495 described in Subsection (17)(a), if the court determines that more than 15 working days are
496 necessary for good cause related to the defendant's competency.
497 (18) The court may order a hearing [
498 motion or upon recommendations of the clinical director of the [
499 or other facility or the department.
500 (19) Notice of a hearing on competency to stand trial shall be given to the prosecuting
501 attorney and all counsel of record. [
502