BILL NUMBER: S7638

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the judiciary law, in relation to requiring the chief
administrator of the courts to submit an annual report on the Drug
Treatment Court Program

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation would require the chief administrator of the courts to
report annually to the legislature and the governor about the function
and effectiveness of the Drug Courts Treatment Program.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

The bill amends section 212 of the judiciary law to require the Chief
administrator of the courts to report annually to the legislature and
the governor about the function and effectiveness of drug courts in the
state operating as part of the Drug Courts Treatment Program.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Drug treatment courts are currently operating in criminal and family
courts throughout the state. These courts offer non-violent drug offen-
ders an opportunity to participate in treatment programs as an alterna-
tive to incarceration. In many cases, community services organizations
provide the required treatment to drug court participants. However, many
of these community service providers suffer from a lack of resources and
they are generally not able to access funding through the Drug Courts
Treatment Program. This bill requires the Office of Court Administration
to report to the governor and the legislature regarding the function of
the drug courts, including information about the participation level of
community service providers. This information will better enable the
legislature to determine and realize the necessity of increased funding
for the community service providers that play a vital role in, the
success of the Drug Courts Treatment Program.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A.11942 Referred to Judiciary in 2006.

A.4414 Reported to Ways and Means in 2007 and passed Assembly in 2008.

A.3581 Passed Assembly in 2009 and 2010.

A.7629 Reported to Ways and Means in 2011 and 2012.

A.3403 Reported to Ways and Means in 2013 and 2014.

A.3299 Reported to Ways and Means in 2015 and 2016.

A.0203 Reported to Ways and Means in 2017.

A.3983 Referred to Judiciary in 2018.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.