Bill Text: PA HB1131 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: In organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, authorizing the establishment of problem solving courts.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 26-10)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-27 - Referred to JUDICIARY [HB1131 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB1131-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1343
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1131 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY DALLY, BARRAR, BEYER, BISHOP, BRENNAN, CUTLER, EVERETT, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, KILLION, MELIO, MILLER, MILNE, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, MYERS, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PHILLIPS, PYLE, QUINN, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, TRUE, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WATSON, WHEATLEY, SWANGER AND MARSICO, MARCH 27, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 27, 2009
AN ACT
Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in organization and
jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, authorizing the
establishment of problem solving courts.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 916. Problem solving courts.
(a) Establishment.--The court of common pleas of a judicial
district and the Municipal Court of Philadelphia may establish
one or more problem solving courts which have specialized
jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, drug courts, mental
health courts and driving under the influence courts, whereby
defendants are admitted to a court-supervised individualized
treatment program. The court may adopt local rules for the
administration of problem solving courts and their related
treatment services. The local rules may not be inconsistent with
this section or any rules established by the Supreme Court.
(b) Statewide problem solving courts coordinator.--The
Supreme Court may appoint a Statewide problem solving courts
coordinator. The coordinator may:
(1) Encourage and assist in the establishment of problem
solving courts in each judicial district.
(2) Identify sources of funding for problem solving
courts and their related treatment services, including the
availability of grants.
(3) Provide coordination and technical assistance for
grant applications.
(4) Develop model guidelines for the administration of
problem solving courts and their related treatment services.
(5) Establish procedures for monitoring problem solving
courts and their related treatment services and for
evaluating the effectiveness of problem solving courts and
their related treatment services.
(c) Advisory committee.--The Supreme Court may establish an
interdisciplinary and interbranch advisory committee to advise
and assist the Statewide problem solving courts coordinator in
monitoring and administrating problem solving courts Statewide.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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