Amendment #66 to H3944

Ensuring adequate number of treatment beds for Drug Court programs

Mr. Velis of Westfield moves to amend the bill by adding at the end thereof the following section:-

"Section XX.  Before any new Drug Courts are established in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Chief Administrative Judge of the Trial Court shall review the previous year’s drug cases in that county that would have been brought before the Drug Court had it been in existence, to evaluate and determine the adequate number of treatment/aftercare beds that will be required to service the newly diverted population into treatment programs.

The Chief Administrative Judge of the Trial Court shall show forward said recommendation to: the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Chairs of the House and Senate Ways & Means Committee, and the Chairs of the Committee on Mental Health & Substance Abuse.".