SB 14: Modification to Defense of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Current law requires the defense to furnish a copy of any report of examination of the defendant that is made at the instance of the defense to the prosecution in a reasonable amount of time in advance of trial. The act requires a copy of the report to also be furnished to the court who, upon receipt of the copy, shall provide a copy to the department of human services.     The act authorizes community placement of a defendant for treatment and rehabilitation.     For a defendant who was charged with a crime allegedly committed on or after July 1, 2026, the act clarifies the legal standard for a defendant's conditional or unconditional release from the department. The standard for unconditional release is that the defendant has no abnormal mental condition that would be likely to cause the defendant to be dangerous to the defendant's self or others or to the community in the reasonably foreseeable future, is capable of distinguishing right from wrong, and has substantial capacity to conform their conduct to the law. The standard for conditional release is that the defendant can satisfy the standard for unconditional release but with the imposition of and compliance with conditions. At an unconditional release hearing for a defendant who is on conditional release, if any evidence is introduced that shows the defendant is ineligible for unconditional release, the defendant has the burden of proving that the defendant meets the applicable test for unconditional release.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 13 · Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 20, 2026Governor Signed
2. April 8, 2026Sent to the Governor
3. April 7, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
4. April 7, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
5. April 6, 2026Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. April 2, 2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. March 31, 2026House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
8. March 30, 2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
9. March 23, 2026House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
10. March 18, 2026House Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
11. February 11, 2026Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
12. February 10, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Showing 12 most recent of 15 actions. Full history