Establishes a State-funded roster of mental health professionals for competency evaluations in criminal cases.

This bill creates the "Court-Appointed Criminal Defendant Competency Evaluation Roster Program" in New Jersey's Judiciary. The program establishes a roster of qualified psychiatrists and licensed psychologists willing to perform evaluations on criminal defendants' competency to stand trial. The roster is voluntary, but may include personnel from the Department of Human Services. Courts can appoint professionals from this roster, whose services are paid for by the State. The bill also mandates at least two evaluations if the defendant is charged with a crime of the first or second degree.

Establishes a State-funded roster of mental health professionals for competency evaluations in criminal cases.

This bill creates the "Court-Appointed Criminal Defendant Competency Evaluation Roster Program" in New Jersey's Judiciary. The program establishes a roster of qualified psychiatrists and licensed psychologists willing to perform evaluations on criminal defendants' competency to stand trial. The roster is voluntary, but may include personnel from the Department of Human Services. Courts can appoint professionals from this roster, whose services are paid for by the State. The bill also mandates at least two evaluations if the defendant is charged with a crime of the first or second degree.