1370.1
. (a) (1) (A) If the defendant is found mentally competent,
the criminal process shall resume, the trial on the offense charged
or hearing on the alleged violation shall proceed, and judgment may
be pronounced.
(B) If the defendant is found mentally incompetent and is
developmentally disabled, the trial or judgment shall be suspended
until the defendant becomes mentally competent.
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) or (iii), the court shall
consider a recommendation for placement, which recommendation shall
be made to the court by the director of a regional center or
designee. In the meantime, the court shall order that the mentally
incompetent defendant be delivered by the sheriff or other person
designated by the court to a state hospital or developmental center
for the care and treatment of the developmentally disabled or any
other available residential facility approved by the director of a
regional center for the developmentally disabled established under
Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) of the Welfare and
Institutions Code as will promote the defendant's speedy attainment
of mental competence, or be placed on outpatient status pursuant to
the provisions of Section 1370.4 and Title 15 (commencing with
Section 1600).
(ii) However, if the action against the defendant who has been
found mentally incompetent is on a complaint charging a felony
offense specified in Section 290, the prosecutor shall determine
whether the defendant previously has been found mentally incompetent
to stand trial pursuant to this chapter on a charge of a Section 290
offense, or whether the defendant is currently the subject of a
pending Section 1368 proceeding arising out of a charge of a Section
290 offense. If either determination is made, the prosecutor shall so
notify the court and defendant in writing. After this notification,
and opportunity for hearing, the court shall order that the defendant
be delivered by the sheriff to a state hospital or other secure
treatment facility for the care and treatment of the developmentally
disabled unless the court makes specific findings on the record that
an alternative placement would provide more appropriate treatment for
the defendant and would not pose a danger to the health and safety
of others.
(iii) If the action against the defendant who has been found
mentally incompetent is on a complaint charging a felony offense
specified in Section 290 and the defendant has been denied bail
pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12 of Article I of the
California Constitution because the court has found, based upon clear
and convincing evidence, a substantial likelihood that the person's
release would result in great bodily harm to others, the court shall
order that the defendant be delivered by the sheriff to a state
hospital for the care and treatment of the developmentally disabled
unless the court makes specific findings on the record that an
alternative placement would provide more appropriate treatment for
the defendant and would not pose a danger to the health and safety of
others.
(iv) The clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Justice
in writing of any finding of mental incompetence with respect to a
defendant who is subject to clause (ii) or (iii) for inclusion in his
or her state summary criminal history information.
(C) Upon becoming competent, the court shall order that the
defendant be returned to the committing court pursuant to the
procedures set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section
1372 or by another person designated by the court. The court shall
further determine conditions under which the person may be absent
from the placement for medical treatment, social visits, and other
similar activities. Required levels of supervision and security for
these activities shall be specified.
(D) The court shall transmit a copy of its order to the regional
center director or designee and to the Director of Developmental
Services.
(E) A defendant charged with a violent felony may not be placed in
a facility or delivered to a state hospital, developmental center,
or residential facility pursuant to this subdivision unless the
facility, state hospital, developmental center, or residential
facility has a secured perimeter or a locked and controlled treatment
facility, and the judge determines that the public safety will be
protected.
(F) For purposes of this paragraph, "violent felony" means an
offense specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5.
(G) A defendant charged with a violent felony may be placed on
outpatient status, as specified in Section 1370.4 or 1600, only if
the court finds that the placement will not pose a danger to the
health or safety of others.
(H) As used in this section, "developmental disability" means a
disability that originates before an individual attains 18 years of
age, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely and
constitutes a substantial handicap for the individual, and shall not
include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in
nature. As defined by the Director of Developmental Services, in
consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, this term
shall include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and
autism. This term shall also include handicapping conditions found
to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require
treatment similar to that required for individuals with an
intellectual disability, but shall not include other handicapping
conditions that are solely physical in nature.
(2) Prior to making the order directing that the defendant be
confined in a state hospital, developmental center, or other
residential facility, or be placed on outpatient status, the court
shall order the regional center director or designee to evaluate the
defendant and to submit to the court within 15 judicial days of the
order a written recommendation as to whether the defendant should be
committed to a state hospital or developmental center or to any other
available residential facility approved by the regional center
director. A person shall not be admitted to a state hospital,
developmental center, or other residential facility or accepted for
outpatient status under Section 1370.4 without having been evaluated
by the regional center director or designee.
(3) When the court orders that the defendant be confined in a
state hospital or other secure treatment facility pursuant to clause
(ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court shall
provide copies of the following documents which shall be taken with
the defendant to the state hospital or other secure treatment
facility where the defendant is to be confined:
(A) State summary criminal history information.
(B) Any arrest reports prepared by the police department or other
law enforcement agency.
(C) Records of a finding of mental incompetence pursuant to this
chapter arising out of a complaint charging a felony offense
specified in Section 290 or a pending Section 1368 proceeding arising
out of a charge of a Section 290 offense.
(4) When the defendant is committed to a residential facility
pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) or the
court makes the findings specified in clause (ii) or (iii) of
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) to assign the defendant to a
facility other than a state hospital or other secure treatment
facility, the court shall order that notice be given to the
appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies having local
jurisdiction at the site of the placement facility of a finding of
mental incompetence pursuant to this chapter arising out of a charge
of a Section 290 offense.
(5) (A) If the defendant is committed or transferred to a state
hospital or developmental center pursuant to this section, the court
may, upon receiving the written recommendation of the executive
director of the state hospital or developmental center and the
regional center director that the defendant be transferred to a
residential facility approved by the regional center director, order
the defendant transferred to that facility. If the defendant is
committed or transferred to a residential facility approved by the
regional center director, the court may, upon receiving the written
recommendation of the regional center director, transfer the
defendant to a state hospital or developmental center or to another
residential facility approved by the regional center director.
In the event of dismissal of the criminal action or revocation
proceedings before the defendant recovers competence, the person
shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the
Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of
Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or to commitment or
detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of
the Welfare and Institutions Code.
The defendant or prosecuting attorney may contest either kind of
order of transfer by filing a petition with the court for a hearing,
which shall be held if the court determines that sufficient grounds
exist. At the hearing, the prosecuting attorney or the defendant may
present evidence bearing on the order of transfer. The court shall
use the same standards as used in conducting probation revocation
hearings pursuant to Section 1203.2.
Prior to making an order for transfer under this section, the
court shall notify the defendant, the attorney of record for the
defendant, the prosecuting attorney, and the regional center director
or designee.
(B) If the defendant is committed to a state hospital or secure
treatment facility pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph
(B) of paragraph (1) and is subsequently transferred to another
facility, copies of the documents specified in paragraph (3) shall be
taken with the defendant to the new facility. The transferring
facility shall also notify the appropriate law enforcement agency or
agencies having local jurisdiction at the site of the new facility
that the defendant is a person subject to clause (ii) or (iii) of
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(b) (1) Within 90 days of admission of a person committed pursuant
to subdivision (a), the executive director or designee of the state
hospital, developmental center, or other facility to which the
defendant is committed, or the outpatient supervisor where the
defendant is placed on outpatient status, shall make a written report
to the committing court and the regional center director or a
designee concerning the defendant's progress toward becoming mentally
competent. If the defendant has not become mentally competent, but
the report discloses a substantial likelihood the defendant will
become mentally competent within the next 90 days, the court may
order that the defendant shall remain in the state hospital,
developmental center, or other facility or on outpatient status for
that period of time. Within 150 days of an admission made pursuant to
subdivision (a) or if the defendant becomes mentally competent, the
executive director or designee of the hospital or developmental
center or person in charge of the facility or the outpatient
supervisor shall report to the court and the regional center director
or his or her designee regarding the defendant's progress toward
becoming mentally competent. The court shall provide to the
prosecutor and defense counsel copies of all reports under this
section. If the report indicates that there is no substantial
likelihood that the defendant has become mentally competent, the
committing court shall order the defendant to be returned to the
court for proceedings pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
The court shall transmit a copy of its order to the regional center
director or designee and to the executive director of the
developmental center.
(2) A defendant who has been committed or has been on outpatient
status for 18 months, and is still hospitalized or on outpatient
status, shall be returned to the committing court where a hearing
shall be held pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 1369.
The court shall transmit a copy of its order to the regional center
director or designee and the executive director of the developmental
center.
(3) If it is determined by the court that no treatment for the
defendant's mental impairment is being conducted, the defendant shall
be returned to the committing court. A copy of this order shall be
sent to the regional center director or designee and to the executive
director of the developmental center.
(4) At each review by the court specified in this subdivision, the
court shall determine if the security level of housing and treatment
is appropriate and may make an order in accordance with its
determination.
(c) (1) (A) At the end of three years from the date of commitment
or a period of commitment equal to the maximum term of imprisonment
provided by law for the most serious offense charged in the
information, indictment, or misdemeanor complaint, or the maximum
term of imprisonment provided by law for a violation of probation or
mandatory supervision, whichever is shorter, a defendant who has not
become mentally competent shall be returned to the committing court.
(B) The court shall notify the regional center director or
designee and the executive director of the developmental center of
that return and of any resulting court orders.
(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in the event of
dismissal of the criminal charges before the defendant becomes
mentally competent, the defendant shall be subject to the applicable
provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with
Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code),
or to commitment and detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant
to Section 6502 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. If it is found
that the person is not subject to commitment or detention pursuant to
the applicable provision of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1
(commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code) or to commitment or detention pursuant to a
petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code, the individual shall not be subject to further
confinement pursuant to this article and the criminal action remains
subject to dismissal pursuant to Section 1385. The court shall notify
the regional center director and the executive director of the
developmental center of any dismissal.
(B) In revocation proceedings alleging a violation of mandatory
supervision in which the defendant remains incompetent upon return to
court under subparagraph (A), the defendant shall be subject to the
applicable provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1
(commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code), or to commitment and detention pursuant to a
petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code. If it is found that the person is not subject to
commitment or detention pursuant to the applicable provision of the
Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of
Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or to commitment or
detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of
the Welfare and Institutions Code, the court shall reinstate
mandatory supervision and modify the terms and conditions of
supervision to include appropriate mental health treatment or refer
the matter to a local mental health court, reentry court, or other
collaborative justice court available for improving the mental health
of the defendant. Actions alleging a violation of mandatory
supervision shall not be subject to dismissal under Section 1385.
(d) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of
subdivision (c), the criminal action remains subject to dismissal
pursuant to Section 1385. If at any time prior to the maximum period
of time allowed for proceedings under this article, the regional
center director concludes that the behavior of the defendant related
to the defendant's criminal offense has been eliminated during time
spent in court-ordered programs, the court may, upon recommendation
of the regional center director, dismiss the criminal charges. The
court shall transmit a copy of any order of dismissal to the regional
center director and to the executive director of the developmental
center.
(e) For the purpose of this section, "secure treatment facility"
shall not include, except for state mental hospitals, state
developmental centers, and correctional treatment facilities, a
facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
1250) of, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of, or Chapter 3.2
(commencing with Section 1569) of, Division 2 of the Health and
Safety Code, or a community board and care facility.