Section 9-27-7 - Administrative Office of Courts to be repository of mental health treatment court reports; mental health treatment court standards; collection and reporting of certain data(1) The Administrative Office of Courts is the repository for reports filed by mental health treatment courts established under this chapter. The goal of the mental health treatment courts is to support effective and proven practices that reduce recidivism and provide behavioral health treatment for participants.(2) Mental health treatment courts must adhere to the standards established in this chapter. (a) These standards shall include, but are not limited to:(i) The use of evidence-based practices including, but not limited to, the use of a valid and reliable risk and needs screening tool to identify participants, deliver appropriate treatments and services;(ii) Targeting moderate to high-risk offenders for participation;(iii) Utilizing current, evidence-based practices proven effective for behavioral health treatment;(iv) Frequent testing for alcohol or drugs;(v) Coordinated strategy between all mental health treatment court personnel;(vi) Ongoing judicial interaction with each participant; and(vii) Monitoring and evaluation of mental health treatment court implementation and outcomes through data collection and reporting.(b) Mental health treatment courts must implement a data collection plan, utilizing the treatment court case management system, which shall include collecting the following data: (i) Total number of participants;(ii) Total number of successful participants;(iii) Total number of unsuccessful participants and the reason why each participant did not complete the program;(iv) Total number of participants who were arrested for a new criminal offense while in the mental health treatment court;(v) Total number of participants who were convicted of a new felony offense while in the mental health treatment court;(vi) Total number of participants who committed at least one (1) violation while in the mental health treatment court and the resulting sanction(s);(vii) Results of the initial risk and needs screening or other clinical assessments conducted on each participant;(viii) Total number of applications for screening by race, gender, offenses charged, indigence and if not accepted, the reason for nonacceptance; and(ix) Any other data or information as required by the Administrative Office of Courts.(3) All mental health treatment courts must measure successful completion of the program based on those participants who complete the program without a new criminal conviction.(4)(a) Mental health treatment courts must collect and submit to the Administrative Office of Courts each month, the following data: (i) Total number of participants at the beginning of the month;(ii) Total number of participants at the end of the month;(iii) Total number of new participants who began the program in the month;(iv) Total number of participants who successfully completed the program in the month;(v) Total number of participants who left the program in the month;(vi) Total number of participants who were arrested for a new criminal offense while in the program in the month;(vii) Total number of participants who were convicted of a new criminal offense while in the program in the month;(viii) Total number of participants who committed at least one (1) violation while in the program and any resulting sanction(s);(ix) Total number of active participants who did not receive treatment in the month;(x) Total number of participants on prescribed psychotropic medications in the month;(xi) Total number of new participants admitted to an acute psychiatric facility or a crisis stabilization unit in the first thirty (30) days of acceptance into the mental health treatment court; and(xii) Total number of participants admitted to an acute psychiatric facility or a crisis stabilization unit in the month.(b) By August 1, 2023, and each year thereafter, the Administrative Office of Courts shall report to the PEER Committee the information in subsection (4)(a) of this section in a sortable, electronic format.(5) A certified mental health treatment court may individually establish rules and may make special orders and rules as necessary that do not conflict with rules promulgated by the Supreme Court or the Administrative Office of Courts.(6) A certified mental health treatment court may appoint full- or part-time employees it deems necessary for the work of the mental health treatment court and shall fix the compensation of those employees, who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the circuit court judge who presides over the mental health treatment court.(7) A certified mental health treatment court established under this chapter is subject to the regulatory powers of the Administrative Office of Courts as set forth in Section 9-27-13.