House Health Policy Dec 10, 2025: PT Compact, mental health, court ordered treatment, criminal mental capacity

A news search shows any number of mental health defenses in Michigan courts. Reports on these bill changes: Zip.

Wayne State University's School of Social Work posts a plain-English explanation of the concept. (Their MCL quotes may be dated; check the MI Legislature's site for current language.)

WILX reports on how the concept is working out in the Jackson courts. 

Hot links and video available at the original link.

https://www.wilx.com/2025/12/04/jackson-co-mental-health-court-reopens-after-4-year-hiatus/

Jackson Co. mental health court reopens after 4-year hiatus

By Jaden Hawkins    |     Dec. 3, 2025

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - A program to help people struggling with mental health problems get treatment and stay out of jail is back in operation in Jackson County.

After a four-year hiatus, the county’s mental health court is officially reinstated. The Jackson County mental health court ran for 13 years before shutting down during the pandemic due to funding and staffing issues.

On Nov. 18, county commissioners accepted a state grant of $103,286 to bring back the court.

The mental health court gives people who committed crimes due to mental illness a second chance at life.

“When you get a disease, I think the appropriate part is to treat the disease and not just lock someone up in a jail and keep them away from society,” said Robert Gaecke, mental health court judge.

When Judge Robert Gaecke took the bench in 2022, one of his first priorities was to bring back the mental health court. He said the program had a track record of success.

“Less recidivism. They don’t go out and commit crimes. That’s something that’s demonstrated by past evidence, as well as employment. People are likely to be able to keep a job,” said Gaecke.

Defendants can qualify for the program if they have committed a nonviolent crime and have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

After being accepted into the program, defendants go to Khalil Paule, the court’s mental health coordinator.

“Face value, looking at this program, it’s easy to think that this is just a little slap on the wrist for the participants,” said Paule. “But one thing that we’ve kind of been adamant about is, like, this is an intensive program; they have to plead guilty to a charge. We’re going to be holding them accountable to make sure they get the treatment they need.”

Both Paule and Gaecke said they understand how a court like this could raise eyebrows. But Jackson Resident Deborah Cognata knows firsthand the impact because her son went through the program.

“He spent ten months. And then he got out, and he said, ‘I’m never going back.’ And he didn’t. And for the first time, [I saw] a difference in his criminal behavior,” said Cognata. “Mental illness is a big thing, and they deserve to be treated right, because they are not the typical person.”

Judge Gaecke said two defendants have already enrolled in the program. It can support up to 30 people at a time. To be admitted into the program, defendants or those on their behalf must fill out an application and pass a panel selection process.

For more eligibility information or to apply for the program, you can visit the Jackson County Website.

Round 2 on these bills is tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025      9:00 AM

AGENDA

HB 4412 (Rep. Steele)
Mental health: hospitalization; person requiring treatment; revise, and modify certain procedures for treatment.

HB 4413 (Rep. Tisdel)
Mental health: other; hospital evaluations for assisted outpatient treatment; expand.

HB 4414 (Rep. Kuhn)
Criminal procedure: mental capacity; outpatient treatment for misdemeanor offenders with mental health issues; provide for.

HB 4910 (Rep. Borton)
Health occupations: dentists; continuing education options for dentistry professions; expand.

HB 4932 (Rep. Cavitt)
Health occupations: pharmacists; continuing education requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; modify.

HB 5150 (Rep. Thompson)
Health occupations: respiratory therapists; licensure for respiratory therapists; modify.

SB 413 (Sen. Wojno)
Health occupations: psychologists; requirements for practice by limited licensed psychologist; modify.

OR ANY BUSINESS PROPERLY BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE