123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 71 LR 843(01)
An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Plea of Not Criminally Responsible by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect in Juvenile Cases
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. Sykes of Harrison
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The Department of Health and Human Services believes that while the number of juveniles that historically would have met the proposed legal status of "not criminally responsible by reason of mental disease or defect"  is small (i.e., the department only found 2 juvenile cases over the last 15 years), the cost of each case could be considerable (estimated to be $131,000 per case).  Therefore, if the  number of juveniles placed in this category does increase as a result of the bill, the costs to the state could potentially be significant.