HB 2558: Mental health sentencing alt

Summary

• Modifies the eligibility criteria for participating in a Mental Health Sentencing Alternative (MHSA), including by making eligibility based on specified psychotic disorders rather than serious mental illnesses, making defendants convicted of Failure to Register eligible, and disqualifying certain defendants who are presently convicted of domestic violence against an intimate partner or have a recent prior conviction for a violent offense.
• Modifies the required contents of the report prepared by the Department of Corrections before imposing an MHSA, and eliminates the court's authority to waive production of the report.
• Increases the minimum term of community custody to 24 months for MHSAs where the midpoint of the standard range sentence exceeds 36 months.
• Requires the court to schedule progress hearings at minimum specified frequencies for defendants participating in an MHSA, and to consider the best interests of the defendant, the victim, and the community at MHSA progress and review hearings.
• Requires the Health Care Authority to contract for all mental health assessments and preliminary treatment plan development for MHSAs, rather than provide reimbursement for such services.

From the House Bill Analysis 2026 (HB 2558), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗