WEST virginia legislature
2021 regular session
Committee Substitute
for
Senate Bill 702
By Senators Trump and Romano
[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported on March 29, 2021]
A BILL to repeal §27-6A-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §27-6A-1, §27-6A-2, §27-6A-3, §27-6A-4, §27-6A-5, §27-6A-6, §27-6A-8, and §27-6A-10 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §27-6A-13, all relating generally to criminal competency and criminal responsibility of persons charged with, or found not guilty of, a crime by reason of mental illness; defining terms; allowing initial forensic evaluation of a defendant at a state mental health facility or state hospital under certain circumstances; adding criteria for evaluation or report by a qualified forensic evaluator; use of outpatient competency restoration services or inpatient management to attain competency; providing for records to be made available to chief medical officer; modifying the time for the completion of proceedings; updating outdated language in the code; creating criteria for competency restoration treatment; establishing maximum time periods for competency restoration treatment of persons charged with crimes involving nonviolent misdemeanors, nonviolent felonies, and violent misdemeanors and violent felonies; providing procedure for a court to review commitment status of persons committed to an inpatient mental health facility or state hospital prior to effective date of current amendments; providing for evaluation and disposition of a person found not guilty by reason of mental illness; providing for conditional release; providing procedures relating to an acquittee who violates terms of conditional release; repealing section requiring study and reporting; requiring Department of Health and Human Resources to pay for competency restoration in certain circumstances; establishing the Dangerousness Assessment Review Board; specifying membership and duties of board; establishing internal effective dates; and authorizing the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to propose legislative rules and emergency rules.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 6A. COMPETENCY AND CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PERSONS CHARGED OR CONVICTED OF A CRIME.
(a) For purposes of this article:
(1) “Competency restoration” means the treatment or education process for attempting to restore a criminal defendant’s ability to consult with his or her attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, including a rational and factual understanding of the court proceedings and charges against the person. Competency restoration services may be provided in a jail-based, outpatient, or inpatient setting as may be ordered by the court.
(2) “Competency to stand trial” means the ability of a criminal defendant to consult with his or her attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, including a rational and factual understanding of the procedure and charges against him or her.
(3) “Court” or “court of record” means the circuit court with jurisdiction over the charge or charges against the defendant or acquittee.
(4) “Department” means the Department of Health and Human Resources.
(5) A “qualified forensic evaluator” is either a qualified forensic psychiatrist or a qualified forensic psychologist as defined in this section.
(6) A “qualified forensic psychiatrist” is:
(A) A psychiatrist licensed under the laws in this state to practice medicine who has completed post-graduate education in psychiatry in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education; and
(B) Board-eligible or board-certified in forensic psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or actively enrolled in good standing in a West Virginia training program accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education to make the evaluator eligible for board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in forensic psychiatry or has two years of experience in completing court-ordered forensic criminal evaluations, including having been qualified as an expert witness by a West Virginia circuit court.
(7) (2) A “qualified forensic psychologist” is:
(A) A licensed psychologist licensed under the laws of this state to practice psychology; and
(B) Board-eligible or board-certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology or actively enrolled in good standing in a West Virginia training program approved by the American Board of Forensic Psychology to make the evaluator eligible for board certification in forensic psychology or has at least two years of experience in performing court-ordered forensic criminal evaluations, including having been qualified as an expert witness by a West Virginia circuit court.
(3) A “qualified forensic evaluator” is either a
qualified forensic psychiatrist or a qualified forensic psychologist as defined
in this section.
(4) “Department” means the Department of Health and
Human Resources
(b) No (A) qualified forensic evaluator
may not perform a forensic evaluation on an individual under §27-1-1 et
seq. of this code if the qualified forensic evaluator has been the
individual’s treating psychologist or psychiatrist within one year prior to any
evaluation order.
§27-6A-2. Competency of defendant to stand trial; cause for appointment of qualified forensic evaluator; written report; observation period; rules.
(b) The court shall require the party making the motion for the evaluation, and other parties as the court considers appropriate, to provide to the qualified forensic evaluator appointed under subsection (a) of this section any information relevant to the evaluations within 10 business days of its evaluation order. The information shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) A copy of the warrant or indictment;
(2) Information pertaining to the alleged crime, including statements by the defendant made to the police, investigative reports, and transcripts of preliminary hearings, if any;
(3) Any available psychiatric, psychological, medical, or social records that are considered relevant;
(4) A copy of the defendant’s criminal record; and
(5) If the evaluations are to include a diminished capacity assessment, the nature of any lesser included criminal offenses.
(c) A qualified forensic evaluator shall schedule and
arrange for the prompt completion of any court-ordered evaluation which may
include record review and a defendant interview and shall, within 10
business days of the date of the completion of any evaluation, provide to the
court of record a written, signed report of his or her opinion on the issue of
competency to stand trial. If it is the qualified forensic evaluator’s opinion
that the defendant is not competent to stand trial, the report shall state whether
the defendant is substantially likely to attain competency within the next three
months 90 days and, as provided in this section, in order
to attain competency to stand trial and, whether the defendant may
attain competency by receiving competency restoration services at an outpatient mental health facility, outpatient mental health
practice, or a jail-based competency restoration program, if available. If
the qualified forensic evaluator determines that a defendant is likely to
attain competency, but that competency restoration can only be attained by
inpatient management in a mental health facility or state hospital, the
qualified forensic evaluator shall set forth in his or her report the reasons
why competency restoration is not viable in a less restrictive environment or a
jail-based competency restoration program.
(d) The report of a qualified forensic evaluator as to a defendant’s competency shall be performed with standards and requirements established by the department consistent with best medical practices. The report shall address:
(1) The forensic evaluator’s opinion on the defendant’s competency to stand trial;
(2) A diagnosis, if any;
(3) A proposed plan for competency attainment if appropriate; and
(4) An opinion as to whether the individual is dangerous to himself, herself, or others.
(5) The
court may extend the 10-day period for filing the report if a qualified
forensic evaluator shows good cause to extend the period, but in no event may
the period exceed 30 days. If there are no objections by the state or
defense counsel, the court may, by order, dismiss the requirement for a written
report if the qualified forensic evaluator’s opinion may otherwise be made
known to the court and interested parties
(d) (e)
If the court determines that the defendant has been uncooperative during the
forensic evaluation ordered pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or
there have been one or more inadequate or conflicting forensic evaluations
performed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and the court has reason
to believe that an observation period is necessary in order to determine if a
person is competent to stand trial, the court may order the defendant be
committed to a mental health facility designated by the department for a period
not to exceed 15 days and an additional evaluation be conducted in accordance
with subsection (a) of this section by one or more qualified forensic
psychiatrists, or a qualified forensic psychiatrist and a qualified forensic
psychologist forensic evaluator. The court shall order that at
the conclusion of the 15-day observation period the sheriff of the county where
the defendant was charged shall take immediate custody of the defendant for
transportation and disposition as ordered by the court.
(e) (f)
A mental health facility not operated by the state is not obligated has
no obligation to admit and treat a defendant under this section if the
facility has no outpatient competency restoration program established and
recognized by the department, notwithstanding the provisions of §27-2A-1(b)(4) and §27-5-9
of this code: Provided, That medication administration and medication
management for stabilization on an outpatient basis shall be provided by the
mental health facility.
(f) (g) A
mental health facility not operated by the state that constitutes a charitable
or public service organization as defined by §29-12-5(b)(1)(B) of this code,
and provides competency restoration services pursuant to a court order may
purchase liability coverage for injury or civil damages related to the
provision of the services from the Board of Risk and Insurance Management.
(g) (h) In consultation with the Supreme Court of
Appeals, the secretary may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance
with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code to implement the
provisions of this article. The secretary may promulgate emergency rules,
pursuant to §29A-3-15 of this code, as may be required.
§27-6A-3. Competency of defendant to stand trial determination; preliminary finding; hearing; evidence; disposition.
(a) Within five days of the receipt of the qualified
forensic evaluator’s report and opinion on the issue of competency to stand
trial, the court of record shall make a preliminary finding determination
on the issue of whether the defendant is competent to stand trial. and if
If the court of record finds that the defendant is not competent, the
court shall make a further finding as to whether there is a substantial
likelihood that the defendant can attain competency within the next three
months 90 days, and whether competency can be attained by receiving
competency restoration services at an outpatient mental health facility,
outpatient mental health practice, or a jail-based competency restoration
program. If the court of record orders, or if the state or defendant or
defendant’s counsel within 20 days of receipt of the preliminary findings requests
makes a motion for a hearing, a hearing, then a hearing shall be held by
the court of record within 15 days of the date of the motion for a hearing
preliminary finding, absent good cause being shown for a continuance. If
a hearing order or request motion is not filed within 20 days,
the preliminary findings of the court become the final order.
(b) At a hearing to determine a defendant’s competency to stand trial, the defendant has the right to be present and he or she has the right to be represented by counsel and introduce evidence and cross-examine witnesses. The defendant shall be afforded timely and adequate notice of the issues at the hearing and shall have access to all forensic evaluator’s opinions. All rights generally afforded to a defendant in criminal proceedings shall be afforded to a defendant in the competency proceedings, except trial by jury.
(c) The court of record pursuant to a preliminary
finding or hearing on the issue of a defendant’s competency to stand trial and
with due consideration of any forensic evaluation conducted pursuant to §27-6A-2 and §27-6A-3 of this
code, shall make a finding findings of fact upon a preponderance
of the evidence as to the defendant’s competency to stand trial based on
whether or not the defendant has sufficient present ability to consult with his
or her lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and whether he
or she has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings
against him or her.
(d) If at any point in the proceedings the defendant
is found competent to stand trial, the court of record shall forthwith proceed
with the criminal proceedings.
(e) If at any point in the proceedings the defendant
is found not competent to stand trial, the court of record shall at the same
hearing, upon the evidence, make further findings as to whether or not there is
a substantial likelihood that the defendant will attain competency within the
next ensuing three months
(f) (d)
If at any point in the proceedings the defendant is found not competent to
stand trial and is found substantially likely to attain competency, the
court of record shall in the same order, upon the evidence, make further
findings as to whether the defendant, requires, in order to
attain competency, should receive outpatient competency restoration services
or if the attainment of competency requires inpatient management in a
mental health facility or state hospital. If inpatient management is
required, the court shall order the defendant be committed to an inpatient
mental health facility or state hospital designated by the department to
attain competency to stand trial and for a competency evaluation. The
information and documents obtained as required by §27-6A-2(b)
of this code, shall be provided to the chief medical officer of the mental
health facility or state hospital within two days of entry of the court order. The term of this commitment under this subsection
may not exceed three months 90 days from the time of entry into the
facility except as otherwise provided by subsection (g) of this section.
However, upon request by the chief medical officer of the mental health
facility and based on the requirement for additional management to attain
competency to stand trial, the court of record may, prior to the termination of
the three month period, extend the period up to nine months from entry into the
facility. A forensic evaluation of competency to stand trial shall be conducted
by a qualified forensic evaluator and a report rendered to the court, in like
manner as subsections (a) and (c), section two of this article, every three
months until the court determines the defendant is not competent to stand trial
and is not substantially likely to attain competency
(g) (e) If at any point in the proceedings the
defendant who has been indicted or charged with a misdemeanor or felony
which does not involve an act of violence against a person is found not
competent to stand trial and is found not substantially likely to attain
competency after having received competency restoration services for the
lesser of 180 days or the maximum sentence he or she would serve, if convicted of the offense, the defendant shall be released upon any
conditions that the court determines to be appropriate and shall have the criminal charges dismissed without prejudice. and if the defendant has been indicted or charged
with a misdemeanor or felony which does not involve an act of violence against
a person, the criminal charges shall be dismissed The
dismissal discharge order may, however, be stayed for 20 days to
allow civil commitment proceedings to be instituted by the prosecutor pursuant
to §27-5-1
et seq. of this code. The defendant shall be immediately released from
any inpatient facility unless civilly committed.
(h) (f)
If Subject to subsection (i) of this section, if at any point in
the proceedings the a defendant who has been indicted or
charged with a misdemeanor or felony involving an act of violence against a
person is found not competent to stand trial and is found not substantially
likely to attain competency after having received competency restoration
services for 180 days, he or she shall be placed in the least restrictive
setting and shall remain under the jurisdiction of the court upon any conditions
that the court considers appropriate and the charges against him or her shall
be held in abeyance. Release of the defendant may be stayed by the court for up
to 30 days or longer for good cause shown, upon the filing of a motion to
challenge the individual’s release to a less restrictive setting. The circuit
court may, sua sponte or upon motion, order that a dangerousness evaluation be
performed by a qualified forensic evaluator to aid in its consideration of the
proposed placement and supervision of the defendant. The dangerousness
evaluation shall be paid for by the department and completed within 30 days.
The defendant shall be immediately released from any inpatient facility to the
least restrictive setting necessary under §27-5-1 et seq.
of this code, unless civilly
committed. and if the defendant
has been indicted or charged with a misdemeanor or felony in which the
misdemeanor or felony does involve an act of violence against a person, then
the court shall determine on the record the offense or offenses of which the
person otherwise would have been convicted, and the
maximum sentence he or she could have received. A defendant shall remain
under the court’s jurisdiction until the expiration of the maximum sentence
unless the defendant attains competency to stand trial and the criminal charges
reach resolution or the court dismisses the indictment or charge. The court
shall order the defendant be committed to a mental health facility designated
by the department that is the least restrictive environment to manage the
defendant and that will allow for the protection of the public. Notice of the
maximum sentence period with an end date shall be provided to the mental health
facility. The court shall order a qualified forensic evaluator to conduct a
dangerousness evaluation to include dangerousness risk factors to be completed
within thirty days of admission to the mental health facility and a report
rendered to the court within ten business days of the completion of the
evaluation. The medical director of the mental health facility shall provide
the court a written clinical summary report of the defendant’s condition at
least annually during the time of the court’s jurisdiction. The court’s
jurisdiction shall continue an additional ten days beyond any expiration to
allow civil commitment proceedings to be instituted by the prosecutor pursuant
to article five of this chapter. The defendant shall then be immediately
released from the facility unless civilly committed
(g)(1) If it is determined that a defendant indicted or charged as provided under subsection (f) of this section has a substantial probability of regaining competency, then the defendant may be ordered to remain in a mental health facility or state hospital for an additional reasonable time until he or she attains competency, or the pending charges are disposed of according to law, whichever is earlier in time: Provided, That a defendant may not be held in the mental health facility or state hospital for a period longer than 240 days for competency restoration treatment.
(2) If, at the end of the maximum period for inpatient competency restoration treatment as provided in this subsection, the court finds that the defendant has not attained competency and is not substantially likely to attain competency in the foreseeable future, the defendant shall be released to the least restrictive setting upon any conditions the court determines to be appropriate and the charges against him or her held in abeyance for the maximum sentence he or she could have received for the offense and the defendant released unless civil commitment proceedings have been initiated pursuant to §27-5-1 et seq. of this code. Notwithstanding anything in this article to the contrary, the court, in its discretion, may continue its oversight of the individual and the court’s jurisdiction over the individual: Provided, That notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, an individual may not be released as provided in this subsection until the court reviews and approves a recent dangerousness risk assessment of the individual and the chief medical officer’s recommended release plan for the individual based on the needs of the individual and the public. The court shall order the discharge of the individual if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the individual has recovered from his or her mental illness and that he or she no longer creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person.
(3) When a defendant is released upon a condition the court determines to be appropriate and the charges against him or her are held in abeyance, the circuit court shall, no less frequently than every six months, review the defendant’s circumstances to determine if his or her condition has deteriorated to the extent that requires civil commitment. Upon notice from the treatment provider that a defendant who is released on the condition that he or she continues treatment does not continue his or her treatment, the prosecuting attorney shall, by motion, cause the court to reconsider the defendant’s release. Upon a showing that the defendant is in violation of the conditions of his or her release, the court may reorder the defendant to a mental health facility under the authority of the department which is the least restrictive setting that will allow for the protection of the public.
(i) If the defendant has been ordered to a mental
health facility pursuant to subsection (h) of this section and the court
receives notice from the medical director or other responsible official of the
mental health facility that the defendant no longer constitutes a significant
danger to self or others, the court shall conduct a hearing within thirty days
to consider evidence, with due consideration of the qualified forensic evaluator’s
dangerousness report or clinical summary report to determine if the defendant
shall be released to a less restrictive environment. The court may order the
release of the defendant only when the court finds that the defendant is no
longer a significant danger to self or others. When a defendant’s dangerousness
risk factors associated with mental illness are reduced or eliminated as a
result of any treatment, the court, in its discretion, may make the continuance
of appropriate treatment, including medications, a condition of the defendant’s
release from inpatient hospitalization. The court shall maintain jurisdiction
of the defendant in accordance with said subsection. Upon notice that a
defendant ordered to a mental health facility pursuant to said subsection who
is released on the condition that he or she continues treatment does not
continue his or her treatment, the prosecuting attorney shall, by motion, cause
the court to reconsider the defendant’s release. Upon a showing that defendant
is in violation of the conditions of his or her release, the court shall
reorder the defendant to a mental health facility under the authority of the
department which is the least restrictive setting that will allow for the
protection of the public
(j) (h)
The prosecuting attorney may, by motion, cause the competency to stand trial of
a defendant subject to the court’s jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (h)
(f) of this section or released pursuant to subsection (i) (g)
of this section to be determined by the court of record while the defendant
remains under the jurisdiction of the court. The court may order a forensic
evaluation of competency to stand trial be conducted by a qualified forensic
evaluator and a report rendered to the court in like manner as subsections
(a) and (c), section two of this article pursuant to §27-6A-2(a) and
§27-6A-2(b) of this code.
(k) (i)
Any defendant found not competent to stand trial may at any time petition the
court of record for a hearing on his or her competency but may do so not
more than every six months.
(l) (j) Notice of court findings of a defendant’s
competency to stand trial, of commitment for inpatient management to attain
competency, of dismissal of charges, of order for inpatient management to
protect the public, of release or conditional release, or any hearings to be
conducted pursuant to this section shall be sent to the prosecuting attorney,
the defendant, and his or her counsel, and the mental health facility or
state hospital. Notice of a court release hearing or order for
release or conditional release pursuant to subsection (g) (e) of
this section shall be made available provided to the victim or
next of kin of the victim of the offense for which the defendant was charged by
U.S. mail to such person’s last known address. The burden is on the victim
or next of kin of the victim to keep the court apprised of that person’s
his or her current mailing address.
(m) (k)
A mental health facility not operated by the state is not obligated to admit or
treat a defendant under this section except as otherwise provided by §27-2A-1(b)(4)
and §27-5-9 of this code.
(l) Notwithstanding anything in this article to the contrary, for each individual who is committed to a state hospital, or committed to a state hospital and diverted to a licensed hospital prior to the effective date of the amendments to this section enacted during the regular session of the Legislature, 2021, who has received or will receive the maximum amount of competency restoration treatment authorized under this section prior to January 1, 2022, and who the medical director of the hospital and the court have determined is not restorable, the medical director shall inform the court and prosecutor of record for each such individual as soon as practicable but no later than March 31, 2022. The medical director shall immediately provide a recommendation to the court and prosecutor for the clinical disposition, placement, or treatment of each individual. The state hospital or prosecutor shall thereafter file a civil commitment proceeding, if warranted, as provided under §27-5-1 et seq. of this code for each individual or make other appropriate recommendations to the court of record. The court shall hold any hearing for each individual as soon as practicable, but no later than June 30, 2022.
§27-6A-4. Criminal responsibility or diminished capacity evaluation; court jurisdiction over persons found not guilty by reason of mental illness.
(a) If the court of record finds, upon hearing
evidence or representations of counsel for the defendant, that there is
probable cause to believe that the defendant’s criminal responsibility or
diminished capacity will be a significant factor in his or her defense, the
court shall appoint one or more qualified forensic psychiatrists or a
qualified forensic psychologists evaluator to conduct a
forensic evaluation of the defendant’s state of mind at the time of the alleged
offense. However, if a qualified forensic evaluator is of the opinion that the
defendant is not competent to stand trial that then no criminal
responsibility or diminished capacity evaluation may be conducted. The forensic
evaluation may not be conducted at a state inpatient mental health facility
unless the defendant has been ordered to a mental health facility or state
hospital in accordance with §27-6A-2(c) or §27-6A-3(f) or §27-6A-3(h) of this code. To the extent
possible, qualified forensic evaluators who have conducted evaluations of
competency under §27-6A-2(a) of this code, shall be used to evaluate
criminal responsibility or diminished capacity under this subsection and all
evaluations shall be performed consistent with the department’s program
standards and requirements for the reports.
(b) The court shall require the party making the motion for the evaluations, and other parties as the court considers appropriate, to provide to the qualified forensic evaluator appointed under subsection (a) of this section any information relevant to the evaluation within 10 business days of its evaluation order. The information shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) A copy of the warrant or indictment;
(2) Information pertaining to the alleged crime, including statements by the defendant made to the police, investigative reports, and transcripts of preliminary hearings, if any;
(3) Any available psychiatric, psychological, medical, or social records that are considered relevant;
(4) A copy of the defendant’s criminal record; and
(5) If the evaluation is to include a diminished capacity assessment, the nature of any lesser criminal offenses.
(c) A qualified forensic evaluator shall schedule and arrange within 15 days of the receipt of appropriate documents the completion of any court-ordered evaluation which may include record review and defendant interview and shall, within 10 business days of the date of the completion of any evaluation, provide to the court of record a written, signed report of his or her opinion on the issue of criminal responsibility, and if ordered, on diminished capacity. The court may extend the 10-day period for filing the report if a qualified forensic evaluator shows good cause to extend the period, but in no event may the period exceed 30 days. If there are no objections by the state or defense counsel, the court may, by order, dismiss the requirement for a written report if the qualified forensic evaluator’s opinion may otherwise be made known to the court and interested parties.
(d) If the court determines that the defendant has
been uncooperative during a forensic evaluation ordered pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section or there are inadequate or conflicting forensic evaluations
performed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and the court has reason
to believe that an observation period and additional forensic evaluation or
evaluations are necessary in order to determine if a defendant was criminally
responsible or with diminished capacity, the court may order the defendant be
admitted to a mental health facility or state hospital designated by the
department for a period not to exceed 15 days and an additional evaluation be
conducted and a report rendered in like manner as subsections (a) and (b) of
this section by one or more qualified forensic psychiatrists or one or more
qualified forensic psychologists a qualified forensic evaluator. At
the conclusion of the observation period, the court shall enter a disposition
order and the sheriff of the county where the defendant was charged shall take
immediate custody of the defendant for transportation and disposition as
ordered by the court.
(e) If the verdict in a criminal trial is a judgment
of not guilty by reason of mental illness, the court shall determine on the
record the offense or offenses of which the acquittee could have otherwise been
convicted, and the maximum sentence he or she could have received. The
acquittee shall remain under the court’s jurisdiction until the expiration of
the maximum sentence or until discharged by the court. The court shall
commit the acquitee to a mental health facility designated by the department
that is the least restrictive environment to manage the acquitee and that will
allow for the protection of the public. Notice of the maximum sentence period
with end date shall be provided to the mental health facility. The court
shall order a qualified forensic evaluator to conduct a dangerousness
evaluation to include dangerousness risk factors to be completed within 30 days
of admission to the mental health facility and a report rendered to the court
within 10 business days of the completion of the evaluation. The
dangerousness evaluation shall be performed consistent with the department’s
program standards and requirements for such evaluations. The medical
director of the mental health facility shall provide the court a written
clinical summary report of the defendant’s condition at least annually during
the time of the court’s jurisdiction. The court’s jurisdiction continues an
additional 10 days beyond any expiration to allow civil commitment proceedings
to be instituted by the prosecutor pursuant to §27-5-1 et seq. of this code. The defendant
shall then be immediately released from the facility unless civilly committed.
(g) The court shall place persons acquitted under subsection (e) of this section in the temporary custody of the department for evaluation to determine if the acquittee may be released with or without conditions or if the acquittee requires commitment. The court may authorize that the evaluation be conducted on an outpatient basis. If the court authorizes an outpatient evaluation, the department shall determine, on the basis of all information available, whether the evaluation shall be conducted on an outpatient basis or whether the acquittee shall be confined in a hospital for evaluation. If the court does not authorize an outpatient evaluation, the acquittee shall be confined in a hospital for evaluation. If an acquittee who is being evaluated on an outpatient basis fails to comply with the evaluation, the department shall petition the court for an order to confine the acquittee in a hospital for the evaluation. A copy of the petition shall be sent to the acquittee’s attorney and the prosecutor of the acquittee’s case. The evaluation shall be conducted by a qualified clinical evaluator skilled in the diagnosis of mental illness and intellectual disability and qualified by training and experience to perform the evaluations. The evaluator shall determine whether the acquittee currently has mental illness or intellectual disability and shall assess the acquittee and report on his or her condition and need for hospitalization with respect to the factors set forth in §27-6A-5(b) of this code. The evaluator shall conduct an examination and report his or her findings separately within 30 days of the department’s assumption of custody of the acquittee. Copies of the report shall be sent to the acquittee’s attorney, the prosecuting attorney for the jurisdiction where the person was acquitted, and the comprehensive community mental health center designated by the department. If the evaluator recommends conditional release or release without conditions, the court shall extend the evaluation period to permit the department and the comprehensive community mental health center or licensed behavioral health provider to jointly prepare a conditional release or discharge plan, as applicable, prior to the hearing.
(g) (h) A
mental health facility not operated by the state is not required to admit or
treat a defendant or acquittee under this section except as otherwise
provided by §27-2A-1(b)(4) and §27-5-9
of this code.
§27-6A-5. Release of acquittee to less restrictive environment; discharge from jurisdiction of the court; conditional release; and commitment.
(a) If, at any time prior to the expiration of the
court’s jurisdiction, the chief medical officer or responsible official of the
mental health facility to which an acquitee has been ordered pursuant to
subsection (e), section four of this article believes that the acquitee is not
mentally ill or does not have significant dangerousness risk factors associated
with mental illness, he or she shall file with the court of record notice of
the belief and shall submit evidence in support of the belief to include a
forensic evaluation dangerousness report conducted in like manner as said
subsection and recommendations for treatment, including medications, that
reduce or eliminate the dangerousness risk factors associated with mental
illness. The court of record shall hold a hearing within thirty days of receipt
of the notice to consider evidence as to whether the acquitee shall be released
from the mental health facility to a less restrictive environment. Notice of
the hearing shall be made available to the prosecuting attorney responsible for
the charges brought against the acquitee at trial, the acquitee and his or her
counsel and the mental health facility. If upon consideration of the evidence
the court determines that an acquitee may be released from a mental health
facility to a less restrictive setting, the court shall order, within fifteen
days of the hearing, the acquitee be released upon terms and conditions, if
any, the court considers appropriate for the safety of the community and the
well-being of the acquitee. Any terms and conditions imposed by the court must
be protective and therapeutic in nature, not punitive. When a defendant’s
dangerousness risk factors associated with mental illness are reduced or
eliminated as a result of any treatment, the court, in its discretion, may make
the continuance of appropriate treatment, including medications, a condition of
the defendant’s release from inpatient hospitalization. The court shall
maintain jurisdiction of the defendant in accordance with said subsection. Upon
notice that an acquitee released on the condition that he or she continues
appropriate treatment does not continue his or her treatment, the prosecuting
attorney responsible for the charges brought against the acquitee at trial
shall, by motion, cause the court to reconsider the acquitee’s release and upon
a showing that the acquitee is in violation of the conditions of his or her
release, the court may reorder the acquitee to a mental health facility
designated by the department which is the least restrictive setting appropriate
to manage the acquitee and protect the public.
(b) No later than thirty days prior to the release
from a mental health facility or other management setting of an acquitee
because of the expiration of the court’s jurisdiction as set in accordance with
subsection (e), section four of this article, if the acquitee’s physician,
psychologist, chief medical officer or other responsible party is of the
opinion that the acquitee’s mental illness renders the acquitee to be likely to
cause serious harm to self or others, the supervising physician, psychologist,
chief medical officer or other responsible party shall notify the court of
record who shall promptly notify the prosecuting attorney in the county of the
court having jurisdiction of the opinion and the basis for the opinion.
Following notification, the prosecuting attorney may file, within ten days, a
civil commitment application against the acquitee pursuant to article five of
this chapter
(a) Upon receipt of the evaluation report as provided in §27-6A-4(e) of this code, and, if applicable, a conditional release or discharge plan, the court shall schedule the matter for hearing to determine the appropriate disposition of the acquittee. The hearing shall be conducted within 30 days receipt of the evaluation report. The circuit court may, sua sponte or upon motion, order that an independent dangerousness evaluation by an independent qualified forensic evaluator be performed to aid in its consideration of the proposed placement and supervision of the acquittee. The dangerousness evaluation shall be paid for by the department and shall be performed consistent with the department’s program standards and requirements for the evaluations. As an alternative to ordering an independent dangerousness assessment, the court may avail itself of the services of the Dangerousness Assessment Review Board established in §27-6A-12 of this code. Except as otherwise ordered by the court, the attorney who represented the defendant at the criminal proceedings shall represent the acquittee through the proceedings pursuant to this section. The matter may be continued on motion of either party for good cause shown. The acquittee shall be provided with adequate notice of the hearing, of the right to be present at the hearing, of the right to assistance of counsel in preparation for and during the hearing, and the right to introduce evidence and cross-examine witnesses at the hearing. The hearing is a civil proceeding.
(b) At the conclusion of the hearing, the court cannot commit the acquittee to a mental health facility or state hospital unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the acquittee has a mental illness or an intellectual disability, and that because of the nature or severity of acquittee’s condition, the acquittee cannot be treated on an outpatient basis and requires inpatient management. The decision of the court shall be based upon consideration of the following factors:
(1) To what extent the acquittee has mental illness or an intellectual disability;
(2) The likelihood that the acquittee will engage in conduct presenting a substantial risk of bodily harm to other persons or to himself or herself in the foreseeable future;
(3) The likelihood that the acquittee can be adequately controlled with supervision and treatment on an outpatient basis; and
(4) Any other factors reflected in §27-5-4 of this code.
(c) If inpatient hospitalization is ordered by the court, the mental health facility or state hospital shall periodically provide written clinical reports to the court regarding the continued need for hospitalization as provided by this subsection. A report shall be sent to the court after the initial six months of treatment and every two years after the initial report is made. The court shall provide copies of the reports to the prosecutor and attorney for the acquittee. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, the court shall hold a hearing to consider the issue of the continued commitment of the acquittee. The acquittee may request a change in the conditions of confinement, and the trial court shall conduct a hearing on that request if six months or more have elapsed since the most recent hearing was conducted under this section.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, the court shall order the acquittee released if the court finds that the acquittee meets the criteria for conditional release as set forth in subsection (f) of this section. The court may order any other conditions it determines to be necessary in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. If the court finds that the acquittee does not need inpatient hospitalization nor does the acquittee meet the criteria for conditional release, the court shall release the acquittee without conditions, provided the court has approved a discharge plan prepared by the appropriate comprehensive community mental health center or licensed behavioral health provider in consultation with the department.
(e) The court shall order that any person, acquitted by reason of mental illness and committed pursuant to this section, who is sentenced to a term of incarceration for any other offense in the same proceeding or in any proceeding conducted prior to the proceeding in which the person is acquitted by reason of mental illness, complete any sentence imposed for the other offense prior to being placed in the custody of the department until released from commitment pursuant to §27-1-1 et seq. of this code. The court shall order that any acquittee by reason of mental illness and committed pursuant to this section who is sentenced to a term of incarceration in any proceeding conducted during the period of commitment be transferred to the custody of the correctional facility where he or she is to serve his or her sentence, and, upon completion of his or her sentence, that person shall be placed in the custody of the department until released from commitment pursuant to §27-1-1 et seq of this code.
(f) At any time the court considers the acquittee’s need for inpatient hospitalization pursuant to this section, the court shall place the acquittee on conditional release if it finds that: (1) Based on consideration of the factors which the court must consider in its commitment decision as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the acquittee does not need inpatient hospitalization but may require outpatient treatment or monitoring to prevent his or her condition from deteriorating to a degree that he or she would become likely to cause serious harm to self or others; (2) appropriate outpatient supervision and treatment are reasonably available; (3) the acquittee is not mentally ill or does not have significant dangerousness risk factors associated with mental illness; (4) there is significant reason to believe that the acquittee, if conditionally released, would comply with the conditions specified; and (5) conditional release will not present an undue risk to public safety. The court shall subject a conditionally released acquittee to any orders and conditions it determines will best meet the acquittee’s need for treatment and supervision and best serve the interests of justice and society.
(g) The comprehensive community mental health center or licensed behavioral health provider designated by the department shall implement the court’s conditional release orders and shall submit written reports to the court on the acquittee’s progress and adjustment in the community no less frequently than every six months. An acquittee’s conditional release shall not be revoked solely because of his or her voluntary admission to a state hospital.
(h) If at any time the court that conditionally released an acquittee pursuant to subsection (f) of this section finds reasonable cause exists to believe that an acquittee on conditional release has violated the conditions of his or her release or is no longer a proper subject for conditional release based on application of the criteria for conditional release and requires inpatient hospitalization, it may order an evaluation of the acquittee by a qualified forensic evaluator. If the court, based on the evaluation and after hearing evidence on the issue, finds by a preponderance of the evidence that an acquittee on conditional release has violated the conditions of his or her release or is no longer a proper subject for conditional release based on application of the criteria for conditional release and has a mental illness or an intellectual disability and requires inpatient hospitalization, the court may revoke the acquittee’s conditional release and order him or her returned to the custody of the department.
(i) At any hearing pursuant to this section, the acquittee shall be provided with adequate notice of the hearing, of the right to be present at the hearing, of the right to the assistance of counsel in preparation for and during the hearing, and of the right to introduce evidence and cross-examine witnesses at the hearing. The hearing shall be scheduled on an expedited basis. Written notice of the hearing shall be provided to the prosecuting attorney for the committing jurisdiction. The hearing is a civil proceeding.
(j) If during the term of the acquittee’s conditional release the court finds that the acquittee has violated the conditions of his or her release, but does not require inpatient hospitalization, the court may hold the acquittee in contempt of court for violation of the conditional release order.
(k) The court may modify the conditions of release or remove the conditions placed on release pursuant to subsection (f) of this section upon petition by the comprehensive community mental health center or licensed behavioral health provider, the prosecuting attorney, the acquittee, or upon its own motion based upon the report of the comprehensive community mental health center or behavioral health provider: Provided, That the acquittee may petition no more frequently than annually and only six months after the conditional release order is entered. Upon petition, the court shall require the comprehensive community mental health center or behavioral health provider to provide a report on the acquittee’s progress while on conditional release.
(l) As it considers appropriate and based on the report from the comprehensive community mental health center or behavioral health provider and any other evidence provided to it, the court may issue a proposed order for modification or removal of conditions. The court shall provide notice of the order, and their right to object to it, within 10 days of its issuance, to the acquittee, the comprehensive community mental health center or behavioral health provider, and the prosecuting attorney for the committing jurisdiction and for the jurisdiction where the acquittee is residing on conditional release. The proposed order shall become final if no objection is filed within 10 days of its issuance. If an objection is filed, the court shall conduct a hearing at which the acquittee, the prosecuting attorney, and the comprehensive community mental health center or behavioral health provider have an opportunity to present evidence challenging the proposed order. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall issue an order specifying conditions of release or removing existing conditions of release, as the court considers appropriate.
§27-6A-6. Judicial hearing of defendant’s defense other than not guilty by reason of mental illness.
If a defendant who has been found to be not competent
to stand trial believes that he or she can establish a defense of not guilty to
the charges pending against him or her, other than the defense of not guilty by
reason of mental illness, the defendant may request an opportunity to offer a
defense thereto on the merits before the court which has criminal jurisdiction.
If the defendant is unable to obtain legal counsel, the court of record shall
appoint counsel for the defendant to assist him or her in supporting the
request by affidavit or other evidence. If the court of record in its
discretion grants the request, the evidence of the defendant and of the state
shall be heard by the court of record sitting without a jury. If after hearing the
petition the court of record finds insufficient evidence to support a
conviction, it shall dismiss the indictment and order the release of the
defendant from criminal custody. The release order, however, may be stayed for
10 days to allow civil commitment proceedings to be instituted by the
prosecutor pursuant to §27-5-1 et seq. of this code: Provided, That a defendant committed to a mental health
facility or state hospital pursuant to §27-6A-3(f)(d)
or §27-6A-3(h)(f) shall be immediately released from the facility
unless civilly committed.
§27-6A-8. Credit for time; expenses.
(a) If a person is convicted of a crime, any time spent in involuntary confinement in a mental health facility or state hospital as a result of being charged with the crime shall be credited to the sentence.
(b) All inpatient care and treatment shall be paid by the department.
(c) All competency restoration services not covered by other government, third-party funding sources, or other grant agreements shall be paid by the department.
§27-6A-10. Medications and management of court-ordered individuals.
(a) At any time pursuant to §27-6A-2, §27-6A-3, or §27-6A-4 of this code, an individual is court ordered to a mental health facility or state hospital, the individual has the right to receive treatment under the standards of medical management.
(b) An individual with health care decision-making capacity may refuse medications or other management unless court-ordered to be treated, or unless a treating clinician determines that medication or other management is necessary in emergencies or to prevent danger to the individual or others: Provided, That medication management intended to treat an individual’s condition that causes or contributes to incompetency shall constitute treatment.
§27-6A-12. Study of adult criminal competency and responsibility issues; requiring and requesting report and proposed legislation; submission to legislature.
[Repealed.]
§27-6A-13. Dangerousness Assessment Review Board.
(a) There is hereby created the Dangerousness Assessment Advisory Board. The board shall consist of the following persons:
(1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, or a designee of the commissioner who was not involved in the decision under review;
(2) The forensic coordinator of the state;
(3) A representative of the protection and advocacy system for the state as defined by 29 U.S.C. § 794e, 42 U.S.C. §15041 et seq,; and 42 U.S.C. § 10801 et seq.;
(4) An employee of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation designated by the commissioner with experience in inmate classification;
(5) An employee of the Division of Rehabilitation Services with experience in independent living programs;
(6) Two board-certified forensic psychiatrists appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; and
(7) Two psychologists who are West Virginia qualified forensic evaluators with at least five years demonstrated experience in state and federal courts, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) The purpose of the board is to provide opinion, guidance, and informed objective expertise to circuit courts as to the appropriate level of custody or supervision necessary to ensure that persons who have been judicially determined to be incompetent to stand trial and not restorable or not guilty by reason of mental illness are in the least restrictive environment available to protect the person, other persons, and the public generally.
(c) A circuit court when reviewing a proposed less restrictive placement for a person found incompetent to stand trial and not restorable or not guilty by reason of mental illness may request the assistance of the board in considering the proposed placement plan. The circuit court may request that the medical director convene the board to seek its opinion or opinions on the appropriateness of the proposed placement. The secretary shall provide necessary suggestions, space, and support staff to the board to conduct its activities.
(d) The provisions of §6-9A-1 et seq. and §29B-1-1 et seq. of this code are inapplicable to the operation of the board.
(e) In performing its duties under this section, the board shall have access to all court records, and medical and mental health records available to the court and all documents of any type used by the medical director in developing the proposed placement plan.
(f) Each member of the board whose regular salary is not paid by the State of West Virginia shall be paid the same compensation and expense reimbursement that is paid to members of the Legislature for their interim duties as recommended by the Citizens Legislative Compensation Commission and authorized by law for each day or portion thereof engaged in the discharge of official duties. Reimbursement for expenses shall not be made, except upon an itemized account, properly certified by the members of the board. All reimbursement for expenses shall be paid out of the State Treasury upon a requisition upon the State Auditor.
(g) A board member shall recuse himself or herself if the board member has previously evaluated a person whose classification or placement is under review.
(h) The members of the board shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of their board, duties, or responsibilities: Provided, That nothing in this subsection shall be construed to protect any person from suit and/or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that person.