823C7856C9E01528872587430052DB14 Hearing Summary

Jagruti Shah, Director, Forensic Services, Department of Human Services, presented to the committee on forensic services and competency. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B). Ms. Shah explained the process for competency evaluations. She discussed the different settings for the evaluations, which are in-patient, jail-based, or community-based evaluations. Ms. Shah reviewed the components that are considered during the evaluation.

Ms. Shah continued her presentation. She explained how restoration services are provided if someone is found incompetent to proceed. Ms. Shah discussed outpatient restoration services, which are provided statewide and currently do not have a waitlist. She discussed inpatient restoration services, which includes jail-based restoration services.

Ms. Shah responded to questions about the various locations for inpatient restoration services and how placement is determined. She discussed the forensic support team's role in the process.

Ms. Shah discussed the length of time it takes to restore a person to competency and the average wait time for inpatient services. She responded to questions about the waitlist for services, and said she could provide additional information about fines assessed against the department due to a settlement agreement addressing competency evaluations. Ms. Shah discussed instances of individuals who are determined restored, but then competency is raised again in the court process. She answered questions about utilizing psychiatric nurses in the evaluation process. She discussed the pressures on inpatient services and the need to look at ways to divert individuals.

Ms. Shah responded to questions about whether someone who is waiting for inpatient restoration services is eligible for bail.