Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §§421 to 423, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 780, §1, are amended to read:

§421. Establishment

1. Programs. The Judicial Department may establish alcohol and drug treatment and mental health treatment programs in the Superior Courts and District Courts and may adopt administrative orders and court rules to govern the practice, procedure and administration of these programs. Alcohol and drug treatment and mental health treatment programs must include local judges and must be community based and operated separately from juvenile drug courts.

2. Goals. The goals of the alcohol and drug treatment and mental health treatment programs authorized by this chapter include the following:

A. To reduce alcohol and drug abuse and dependency and mental health problems among criminal offenders;

B. To reduce criminal recidivism;

C. To increase personal, familial and societal accountability of offenders;

D. To promote healthy and safe family relationships;

E. To promote effective interaction and use of resources among justice system personnel and community agencies; and

F. To reduce the overcrowding of prisons.

3. Collaboration. The following shall collaborate with and, to the extent possible, provide financial assistance to the Judicial Department in establishing and maintaining alcohol and drug treatment and mental health treatment programs:

A. District attorneys, the Department of the Attorney General and statewide organizations representing prosecutors;

B. Defense attorneys, including statewide organizations representing defense attorneys;

C. The Department of Corrections;

D. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services;