Defendants awaiting mental health placement could receive temporary care at Choate

The Department of Human Services would allow temporary admissions at Choate for detention and treatment. This would cover defendants with placement orders under rules on fitness for trial, entering a plea, or sentencing. When no immediate permanent placement is available, the sheriff could request temporary placement, but the court would need to order it. Temporary care would last until the department can provide permanent placement.

Choate would give each temporarily admitted defendant a full physical exam and psychiatric assessments. These requirements would cover every defendant temporarily admitted through this process. Checks would cover withdrawal symptoms, nutrition, and underlying health problems. The Department of Human Services would consider Choate's placement recommendation and update the center on its search. The first evaluation would happen at admission. Treatment and psychiatric reviews would continue at regular intervals.

The department would arrange permanent placement, and the sheriff would promptly transport the defendant once a place is available. The deadline would cover each defendant temporarily admitted to Choate through this process. The Attorney General could enforce the placement deadline and penalties. Further penalties would apply every additional 30 days until permanent placement is determined.