(a) The Chief Court Administrator may establish in any court location or juvenile matters court location a docket separate from other criminal or juvenile matters for the hearing of criminal or juvenile matters in which a defendant is a drug-dependent person, as defined in § 21a-240. The docket shall be available to offenders who could benefit from placement in a substance abuse treatment program.

(b) The Chief Court Administrator shall establish, within the appropriations designated in public act 03-1 of the June 30 special session* for said purpose, one or more drug courts for the hearing of criminal or juvenile matters in which a defendant is a drug-dependent person, as defined in § 21a-240, who could benefit from placement in a substance abuse treatment program.