(1) The Administrative Office of Courts is the repository for reports filed by courts established under this chapter. The goal of the mental health courts is to support effective and proven practices that reduce recidivism and provide treatment for participants.

(2) Mental health 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 assessment tool to identify participants and deliver appropriate treatments;

(ii) Targeting medium- to high-risk offenders for participation;

(iii) The use of current, evidence-based interventions proven to provide mental health treatment;

(iv) Coordinated strategy between all mental health court personnel;

(v) Ongoing judicial interaction with each participant; and

(vi) Monitoring and evaluation of mental health court implementation and outcomes through data collection and reporting.

(b) Mental health courts must implement a data collection plan, 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 court;

(v) Total number of participants who were convicted of a new felony or misdemeanor offense while in the mental health court;

(vi) Total number of participants who committed at least one (1) violation while in the mental health court and the resulting sanction(s);

(vii) Results of the initial risk and needs assessment or other clinical assessment conducted on each participant; and

(viii) Any other data or information as required by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(3) All mental health 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 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 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 for a new criminal arrest while in the program in the month; and

(viii) Total number of participants who committed at least one (1) violation while in the program and any resulting sanction(s).

(b) By August 1, 2018, 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) Mental health courts 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 mental health court may appoint the full or part-time employees it deems necessary for the work of the mental health court and shall fix the compensation of those employees, who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the senior circuit court judge.

(7) A mental health 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.