Courts would require institutional care for some unfit defendants

Courts would have to commit certain defendants found unfit to stand trial to an appropriate institution. This applies to defendants found unfit to proceed with a criminal case who meet either of the stated conditions for commitment. For one group, two qualified psychiatrists or licensed psychologists must evaluate the defendant, and the court must find the defendant unfit in a way that requires institutionalization. The other group includes defendants charged with a crime carrying a minimum parole-ineligibility term of 85 percent of the sentence. The commitment may last only while the court assesses whether the defendant is substantially likely to regain fitness within the foreseeable future. The bill says it would take effect immediately if enacted.