MADISON, WI… Legislation promoting efficiency and enhancing public safety in our justice system by establishing specialized ‘problem-solving’ courts in state law, and providing mental health treatment to non-violent offenders, cleared a State Senate committee today.
“Specialized, problem-solving courts – for drug treatment, OWI offenses, commercial disputes and others – have grown rapidly throughout the justice system,” said State Sen. André Jacque (R-New Franken), author of the measures. “These courts work across multiple disciplines and institutions to use interventions that treat offenders while also holding them accountable for their criminal actions.”
Senate Bill 80, Treatment and Commercial Courts
Sen. Jacque said substance addiction treatment courts enable non-violent offenders to voluntarily participate and receive drug treatment services instead of a jail or prison sentence. The Assembly passed its version of this bill last month.
“The intent is to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and relieve pressure on the court system by focusing our criminal justice resources on violent offenders who pose the greatest risk and must be removed from our communities,” Sen Jacque said.
Similarly, Sen. Jacque said the bill also provides a statutory basis for commercial courts, established in a 2017 Wisconsin Supreme Court pilot project dedicating circuit court judicial dockets for large-claim commercial cases. The Court has reauthorized and expanded it twice since.
“However, the lack of specific authorization by state rule or statute leaves their future uncertain,” Sen. Jacque said. “Legislative action to recognize these courts within state statute will put in place a permanent system proven to aid the efficient resolution of commercial disputes and help provide more certainty for our economy.”
Senate Bill 153, Expanding the TAD Grant Program to include mental health treatment
Sen. Jacque said that, since its creation in 2005 Act 25, Wisconsin’s Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) Grant Program has provided effective alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders who need treatment for substance abuse and addiction. The TAD program currently operates in approximately 50 counties and in two tribes.
“This bill expands this program to include those who have a mental health diagnosis,” Sen. Jacque said. “According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, 97% of TAD graduates stayed out of state prison after completing their TAD program.”
Both bills must now pass the full Senate and Assembly, and be signed by the Governor, to become law.
