(1) The Judicial Council may create a veterans court program in any judicial district or geographic region that demonstrates: (a) the need for a veterans court program; and (b) the existence of a collaborative strategy between the court, prosecutors, defense counsel, corrections, substance abuse treatment services, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach Program to divert veteran offenders.

(a) the need for a veterans court program; and

(b) the existence of a collaborative strategy between the court, prosecutors, defense counsel, corrections, substance abuse treatment services, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach Program to divert veteran offenders.

(2) The collaborative strategy in each veterans court program shall: (a) include monitoring and evaluation components to measure program effectiveness; and (b) be submitted, for the purpose of coordinating the disbursement of funding, to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

(a) include monitoring and evaluation components to measure program effectiveness; and

(b) be submitted, for the purpose of coordinating the disbursement of funding, to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

(3) A veterans court program shall include continuous judicial supervision using a cooperative approach with prosecutors, defense counsel, corrections, substance abuse treatment services, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach Program as appropriate to promote public safety, protect participants' due process rights, and integrate veteran diversion treatment programs with the justice system case processing.

(4) Screening criteria for participation in a veterans court program shall include: (a) a plea to, conviction of, or adjudication for a criminal offense; (b) frequent alcohol and other drug testing, if appropriate; (c) participation in veteran diversion outreach programs, including substance abuse treatment programs where appropriate; and (d) sanctions for noncompliance with diversion and substance abuse programs' requirements.

(a) a plea to, conviction of, or adjudication for a criminal offense;

(b) frequent alcohol and other drug testing, if appropriate;

(c) participation in veteran diversion outreach programs, including substance abuse treatment programs where appropriate; and

(d) sanctions for noncompliance with diversion and substance abuse programs' requirements.

(5) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall submit in writing by October 1 of each year, an annual report on each veterans court, including: (a) types of programs; (b) number of veteran participants; (c) outcomes for veteran participants; and (d) recommendations for future veterans court programs, including expansion and funding.

(a) types of programs;

(b) number of veteran participants;

(c) outcomes for veteran participants; and

(d) recommendations for future veterans court programs, including expansion and funding.