- The county commission of any county having a population of eight hundred thousand (800,000) or more, according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census, may designate a division of the county’s general sessions court as the mental health court. The mental health court shall be staffed using existing general sessions court staff members.
- The mental health court is granted the power to hear cases involving petitions filed under the mental health law, compiled in title 33, and mental commitments.
- The mental health court shall strive to identify and provide treatment and services to persons who are mentally ill, developmentally disabled or dually diagnosed, or persons who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
- The mental health court shall also strive to create a single point of contact for persons governed by this section and shall seek to provide case management, forensic alternative community treatment and community-based services.