2011 House Bill 5162 / 2012 Public Act 335

Create "veterans treatment” specialty court

Introduced in the House

Nov. 10, 2011

Introduced by Rep. Kurt Damrow (R-84)

To create a new "veterans treatment” specialty court that would allow “supervised treatment programs” for veterans charged with certain crimes involving drug or alcohol abuse. Like “<a href="http://www.dwicourts.org/learn/about-dwi-courts/-guiding-principles">drug courts</a>,” these could allow participants to get more lenient treatment in return for abiding by certain conditions that may include completing treatment programs.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

May 10, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 23, 2012

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Mike Callton (R-87)

To include post-traumatic stress disorder and psychiatric symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury in the conditions that would warrant diverting a violator to the proposed specialty court.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Holly Hughes (R-91)

To revise details of the conditions a violator would have to meet to remain in the proposed diversion program.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Patrick Somerville (R-23)

To require a court to get clearance from the local government that provides its funding before creating the proposed specialty court.

The amendment passed by voice vote

May 24, 2012

Passed in the House 108 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

May 29, 2012

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Aug. 15, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 11, 2012

Amendment offered

To revise technical references to the "deferred judgments" these courts are allowed to issue pending a defendant's participation in court-ordered treatment programs.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To create a new "veterans treatment” specialty court that would allow “supervised treatment programs” for veterans charged with certain crimes involving drug or alcohol abuse. Like “<a href="http://www.dwicourts.org/learn/about-dwi-courts/-guiding-principles">drug courts</a>,” these could allow participants to get more lenient treatment in return for abiding by certain conditions that may include completing treatment programs.

Received in the House

Sept. 11, 2012

Sept. 27, 2012

Passed in the House 108 to 0 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Oct. 16, 2012