(a) Individuals who have been found incompetent to stand trial and whose charges have been dismissed by the court pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of § 1370.01 of the Penal Code and who are not receiving court directed services pursuant to subdivision (b) of § 1370.01 of the Penal Code, represent a vulnerable population who would benefit from on-going mental health services. It is the intent of the Legislature that this population shall be a top priority for connection with behavioral health services upon release.

(b) An individual who has a misdemeanor charge or charges that are dismissed by the court, who is found incompetent to stand trial, and who is not receiving court directed services pursuant to subdivision (b) of § 1370.01 of the Penal Code, shall be notified by the court of their need for mental health services, as evidenced by having been found incompetent to stand trial. The court shall additionally provide the individual with information that, at a minimum, consists of the name, address, and telephone number of the county behavioral health department, the name and contact information of the behavioral health professional that was providing services to them while incarcerated, if any, contact information for the Medi-Cal program, and a list of available community-based organizations where the individual could obtain mental health services.

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(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 883, Sec. 1. (SB 717) Effective January 1, 2024.)