Sec. 124.003.  DUTIES OF VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM.  (a)  A veterans treatment court program established under this chapter must:
(1)  if there has not yet been a disposition in the criminal case, ensure that a defendant eligible for participation in the program is provided legal counsel before volunteering to proceed through the program and while participating in the program;
(2)  allow a participant arrested for or charged with an offense to withdraw from the program at any time before a trial on the merits has been initiated;
(3)  provide a participant with a court-ordered individualized treatment plan indicating the services that will be provided to the participant; and
(4)  ensure that the jurisdiction of the veterans treatment court continues for a period of not less than six months but does not continue beyond the period of community supervision for the offense charged.
(b)  A veterans treatment court program established under this chapter shall make, establish, and publish local procedures to ensure maximum participation of eligible defendants in the program.
(b-1)  A veterans treatment court program may allow a participant to comply with the participant's court-ordered individualized treatment plan or to fulfill certain other court obligations through the use of videoconferencing software or other Internet-based communications.
(c)  This chapter does not prevent the initiation of procedures under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 840 (S.B. 1940), Sec. 4, eff. June 19, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1103 (H.B. 4833), Sec. 17(a), eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Health and Safety Code, Chapter 617 by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 747 (S.B. 462), Sec. 1.05, eff. September 1, 2013.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1205 (S.B. 1474), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1205 (S.B. 1474), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 889 (H.B. 3069), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 160 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 1, eff. May 28, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 934 (H.B. 3774), Sec. 12.02, eff. September 1, 2021.