California law expands judges' discretion in competency diversion cases
California enacted AB 46, removing a restrictive legal standard that had previously limited judges' discretion to deny diversion, and instead letting courts weigh broader public-safety factors when deciding whether felony defendants found incompetent can go to community-based diversion rather than inpatient restoration.
The law reflected a broader national trend toward expanding diversion eligibility, seen also in Washington's and Colorado's competency reform packages, as states looked for ways to reduce demand on scarce inpatient restoration beds rather than only adding capacity.
Source: California law expands judges' discretion in mental health diversion cases — Becker's Behavioral Health, by Ella Ruder
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