(b) For purposes of further examination and competency restoration services with the specific objective of the defendant attaining competency to stand trial, the court shall commit a defendant described by Subsection (a) to a mental health facility, residential care facility, or jail-based competency restoration program for the applicable period as follows:

(1) a period of not more than 60 days, if the defendant is charged with an offense punishable as a misdemeanor; or

(2) a period of not more than 120 days, if the defendant is charged with an offense punishable as a felony.

(c) If the defendant is charged with an offense listed in Article 17.032(a) or if the indictment alleges an affirmative finding under Article 42A.054(c) or (d), the court shall enter an order committing the defendant for competency restoration services to a facility designated by the commission.

(d) If the defendant is not charged with an offense described by Subsection (c) and the indictment does not allege an affirmative finding under Article 42A.054(c) or (d), the court shall enter an order committing the defendant to a mental health facility or residential care facility determined to be appropriate by the local mental health authority or local intellectual and developmental disability authority or to a jail-based competency restoration program. A defendant may be committed to a jail-based competency restoration program only if the program provider determines the defendant will begin to receive competency restoration services within 72 hours of arriving at the program.

(e) Except as provided by Subsection (f), a defendant charged with an offense punishable as a Class B misdemeanor may be committed under this subchapter only to a jail-based competency restoration program.

(f) A defendant charged with an offense punishable as a Class B misdemeanor may be committed to a mental health facility or residential care facility described by Subsection (d) only if a jail-based competency restoration program is not available or a licensed or qualified mental health professional determines that a jail-based competency restoration program is not appropriate.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 35, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 324 (S.B. 679), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1307 (S.B. 867), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 822 (H.B. 2725), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 797 (S.B. 1475), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 6.011, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 770 (H.B. 2299), Sec. 2.20, eff. January 1, 2017.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 946 (S.B. 277), Sec. 1.15(b), eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 748 (S.B. 1326), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1212 (S.B. 562), Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 2019.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1276 (H.B. 601), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2019.