Amendment #565 to H3400

Jail Diversion

[Sponsors] Representatives O’Day of West Boylston, Malia of Boston, Basile of East Boston, Collins of Boston, Fox of Boston, Walsh of Boston, Sciortino of Medford, Fernandes of Milford, Provost of Somerville, Forry of Boston, Balser of Newton, Khan of Newton move to amend the bill in Section 2, by inserting after item 4512-0201 the following item:

“4512-0202...For pilot jail diversion programs primarily for nonviolent offenders with OxyContin or heroin addiction to be procured by the department of public health; provided, that each program shall have at least 60 beds and shall provide clinical assessment services to the respective courts, inpatient treatment for up to 90 days and ongoing case management services for up to 1 year; provided further, that individuals may be diverted to this or other programs by a district attorney in conjunction with the office of the commissioner of probation if: (a) there is reason to believe that the individual being diverted suffers from an addiction to OxyContin or heroin, or other substance use disorder; and (b) the diversion of an individual is clinically appropriate and consistent with established clinical and public safety criteria; provided further, that programs shall be established in separate counties in locations deemed suitable by the department of public health; provided further, that the department of public health shall coordinate operations with the sheriffs, the district attorneys, the office of the commissioner of probation and the department of correction; provided further, that not more than $500,000 shall be used to support the ongoing treatment needs of clients after 90 days for which there is no other payer; and provided further, that not later than August 2, 2010, the department of public health shall provide a report to the joint committee on mental health and substance abuse and the house and senate committees on ways and means as to the outcomes of the program and the cost of operations...2,000,000”