Report Title:

Insanity Defense

Description:

Eliminates the insanity defense.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

569

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to penal responsibility.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 704-400, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§704-400 [Physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding penal responsibility. (1) A person is not responsible, under this Code, for conduct if at the time of the conduct as a result of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect the person lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of the person's conduct or to conform the person's conduct to the requirements of law.

(2) As used in this chapter, the terms "physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect" do not include an abnormality manifested only by repeated penal or otherwise anti-social conduct.] Mental condition not a defense. A person's mental condition shall not be a defense to any charge of criminal conduct."

SECTION 2. Section 704-404, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

(1) By amending subsection (1) to read: "(1) Whenever [the defendant has filed a notice of intention to rely on the defense of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility, or] there is reason to doubt the defendant's fitness to proceed, [or reason to believe that the physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect of the defendant will or has become an issue in the case,] the court may immediately suspend all further proceedings in the prosecution. If a trial jury has been empanelled, it shall be discharged or retained at the discretion of the court. The dismissal of the trial jury shall not be a bar to further prosecution."

(2) By amending subsection (4) to read:

"(4) The report of the examination shall include the following:

(a) A description of the nature of the examination;

(b) A diagnosis of the physical or mental condition of defendant;

(c) An opinion as to the defendant's capacity to understand the proceedings against the defendant and to assist in the defendant's own defense;

[d An opinion as to the extent, if any, to which the capacity of the defendant to appreciate the wrongfulness of the defendant's conduct or to conform the defendant's conduct to the requirements of law was impaired at the time of the conduct alleged;

(e) When directed by the court, an opinion as to the capacity of the defendant to have a particular state of mind which is required to establish an element of the offense charged;] and

[(f)] (d) Where more than one examiner is appointed, a statement that the diagnosis and opinion rendered were arrived at independently of any other examiner, unless there is a showing of a clear need for communication between or among the examiners for clarification. A description of the communication shall be included in the report."

SECTION 3. Section 704-410, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§704-410 Form of expert testimony regarding [physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect.] fitness to proceed. (1) At the hearing pursuant to section 704-405 [or upon the trial], the examiners who reported pursuant to section 704-404 may be called as witnesses by the prosecution, the defendant, or the court. [If the issue is being tried before a jury, the jury may be informed that the examiners or any of them were designated by the court or by the director of health at the request of the court, as the case may be.] If called by the court, the witness shall be subject to cross-examination by the prosecution and the defendant. Both the prosecution and the defendant may summon any other qualified physician or licensed psychologist or other expert to testify, but no one who has not examined the defendant shall be competent to testify to an expert opinion with respect to the physical or mental condition of the defendant, as distinguished from the validity of the procedure followed by, or the general scientific propositions stated by, another witness.

(2) When an examiner testifies on the issue of the defendant's fitness to proceed, the examiner shall be permitted to make a statement as to the nature of the examiner's examination, the examiner's diagnosis of the physical or mental condition of the defendant, and the examiner's opinion of the extent, if any, to which the capacity of the defendant to understand the proceedings against the defendant or to assist in the defendant's own defense is impaired as a result of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect.

[(3) When an examiner testifies on the issue of the defendant's responsibility for conduct alleged or the issue of the defendant's capacity to have a particular state of mind which is necessary to establish an element of the offense charged, the examiner shall be permitted to make a statement as to the nature of the examiner's examination, the examiner's diagnosis of the physical or mental condition of the defendant at the time of the conduct alleged, and the examiner's opinion of the extent, if any, to which the capacity of the defendant to appreciate the wrongfulness of the defendant's conduct or to conform the defendant's conduct to the requirements of law or to have a particular state of mind which is necessary to establish an element of the offense charged was impaired as a result of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect at that time.

(4)] (3) When an examiner testifies, the examiner shall be permitted to make any explanation reasonably serving to clarify the examiner's diagnosis and opinion and may be cross-examined as to any matter bearing on the examiner's competency or credibility or the validity of the examiner's diagnosis or opinion."

SECTION 4. Section 704-402, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§704-402 Physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility is an affirmative defense; form of verdict and judgment when finding of irresponsibility is made. (1) Physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility is an affirmative defense.

(2) When the defense provided for by subsection (1) is submitted to a jury, the court shall, if requested by the defendant, instruct the jury as to the consequences to the defendant of an acquittal on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility.

(3) When the defendant is acquitted on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility, the verdict and the judgment shall so state."]

SECTION 5. Section 704-408, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§704-408 Determination of irresponsibility. If the report of the examiners filed pursuant to section 704-404, or the report of examiners of the defendant's choice under section 704-409, states that the defendant at the time of the conduct alleged suffered from a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect which substantially impaired the defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the defendant's conduct or to conform the defendant's conduct to the requirements of law, the court shall submit the defense of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect to the jury or the trier of fact at the trial of the charge against the defendant."]

SECTION 6. Section 704-411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§704-411 Legal effect of acquittal on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility; commitment; conditional release; discharge; procedure for separate post-acquittal hearing.

(1) When a defendant is acquitted on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility, the court shall, on the basis of the report made pursuant to section 704-404, if uncontested, or the medical or psychological evidence given at the trial or at a separate hearing, make an order as follows:

(a) The court shall order the defendant to be committed to the custody of the director of health to be placed in an appropriate institution for custody, care, and treatment if the court finds that the defendant presents a risk of danger to oneself or others and that the defendant is not a proper subject for conditional release; provided that the director of health shall place defendants charged with misdemeanors or felonies not involving violence or attempted violence in the least restrictive environment appropriate in light of the defendant's treatment needs and the need to prevent harm to the person confined and others; or

(b) The court shall order the defendant to be released on such conditions as the court deems necessary if the court finds that the defendant is affected by physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect and that the defendant presents a danger to oneself or others, but that the defendant can be controlled adequately and given proper care, supervision, and treatment if the defendant is released on condition; or

(c) The court shall order the defendant discharged from custody if the court finds that the defendant is no longer affected by physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect, or, if so affected, that the defendant no longer presents a danger to oneself or others and is not in need of care, supervision, or treatment.

(2) The court shall, upon its own motion or on the motion of the prosecuting attorney or the defendant, order a separate post-acquittal hearing for the purpose of taking evidence on the issue of the risk of danger which the defendant presents to oneself or others.

(3) When ordering a hearing pursuant to subsection (2):

(a) In nonfelony cases, the court shall appoint a qualified examiner to examine and report upon the physical and mental condition of the defendant. The court may appoint either a psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist. The examiner may be designated by the director of health from within the department of health. The examiner shall be appointed from a list of certified examiners as determined by the department of health. The court, in appropriate circumstances, may appoint an additional examiner or examiners.

(b) In felony cases, the court shall appoint three qualified examiners to examine and report upon the physical and mental condition of the defendant. In each case, the court shall appoint at least one psychiatrist and at least one licensed psychologist. The third member may be either a psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, or a qualified physician. One of the three shall be a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist designated by the director of health from within the department of health. The three examiners shall be appointed from a list of certified examiners as determined by the department of health. To facilitate the examination and the proceedings thereon, the court may cause the defendant, if not then confined, to be committed to a hospital or other suitable facility for the purpose of examination for a period not exceeding thirty days or such longer period as the court determines to be necessary for the purpose upon written findings for good cause shown. The court may direct that qualified physicians or psychologists retained by the defendant be permitted to witness and participate in the examination. The examination and report and the compensation of persons making or assisting in the examination shall be in accord with section 704-404(3), (4)(a) and (b), (6), (7), (8), and (9). As used in this section, the term "licensed psychologist" includes psychologists exempted from licensure by section 465-3(a)(3).

(4) Whether the court's order under subsection (1) is made on the basis of the medical or psychological evidence given at the trial, or on the basis of the report made pursuant to section 704-404, or the medical or psychological evidence given at a separate hearing, the burden shall be upon the State to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant may not safely be discharged and that the defendant should be either committed or conditionally released as provided in subsection (1)."]

SECTION 7. Section 704-412, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§704-412 Committed person; application for conditional release or discharge; by the director of health; by the person. (1) After the expiration of at least ninety days following the order of commitment pursuant to section 704-411, if the director of health is of the opinion that the person committed to his custody may be released on condition or discharged without danger to himself or to the person or property of others, he shall make application for the discharge or conditional release of such person in a report to the court by which such person was committed and shall transmit a copy of the application and report to the prosecuting attorney of the county from which the defendant was committed. The defendant shall be given notice of such application.

(2) After the expiration of ninety days from the date of the order of commitment pursuant to section 704-411, the person committed may apply to the court by which he was committed for an order of discharge or conditional release upon the ground that the same may be ordered without danger to himself or to the person or property of others. A copy of the application shall be transmitted to the prosecuting attorney of the county from which the defendant was committed. If the determination of the court is adverse to the application, such person shall not be permitted to file a further application until one year has elapsed from the date of any preceding hearing on an application for his discharge or conditional release."]

SECTION 8. Section 704-413, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§704-413 Conditional release; application for modification or discharge; termination of conditional release and commitment. (1) Any person released on condition pursuant to section 704-411 shall continue to receive mental health or other appropriate treatment and care deemed appropriate by the director of health until discharged from conditional release. The person shall follow all prescribed treatments and take all prescribed medications according to the instructions of the person's treating mental health professional. If any mental health professional treating any conditionally released person believes the person is either not complying with the requirements of this section, or there is other evidence that hospitalization is appropriate, the mental health professional shall report the matter to the probation officer of the conditionally released person. The probation officer may order the conditionally released to be hospitalized for a period not to exceed seventy-two hours if the probation officer has probable cause to believe the person has violated the requirements of this subsection. No person shall be hospitalized beyond the seventy-two hour period unless a hearing has been held pursuant to subsection (3).

(2) Any person released on condition pursuant to section 704-411 may apply to the court ordering the conditional release for discharge from or modification of the order granting conditional release on the ground that he may be discharged or the order modified without danger to himself or to others. The application shall be accompanied by a supporting affidavit of a qualified physician or licensed psychologist. A copy of the application and affidavit shall be transmitted to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the person is confined and to any persons supervising his release and the hearing on the application shall be held following notice to such persons. If the determination of the court is adverse to the application, such person shall not be permitted to file further application until one year has elapsed from the date of any preceding hearing on an application for modification of conditions of release or for discharge.

(3) If, at any time after the order pursuant to section 704-411 granting conditional release, the court shall determine, after hearing evidence, that the conditions of release have not been fulfilled or that for the safety of such person or others his conditional release should be revoked, the court may forthwith modify the conditions of release or order the person to be committed to the custody of the director of health, subject to discharge or release only in accordance with the procedure prescribed in section 704-412."]

SECTION 9. Section 704-414, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§704-414 Procedure upon application for discharge, conditional release, or modification of conditions of release. Upon filing of an application pursuant to section 704-412 for discharge or conditional release, or upon the filing of an application pursuant to section 704-413 for discharge or for modification of conditions of release, the court shall appoint three qualified examiners in felony cases and one qualified examiner in nonfelony cases to examine and report upon the physical and mental condition of the defendant. In felony cases the court shall appoint at least one psychiatrist and at least one licensed psychologist. The third member may be either a psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, or a qualified physician. One of the three shall be a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist designated by the director of health from within the department of health. The examiners shall be appointed from a list of certified examiners as determined by the department of health. To facilitate the examination and the proceedings thereon, the court may cause the defendant, if not then confined, to be committed to a hospital or other suitable facility for the purpose of the examination and may direct that qualified physicians or psychologists retained by the defendant be permitted to witness and participate in the examination. The examination and report and the compensation of persons making or assisting in the examination shall be in accord with section 704-404(3), (4)(a) and (b), (6), (7), (8), and (9). As used in this section, the term "licensed psychologist" includes psychologists exempted from licensure by section 465-3(a)(3)."]

SECTION 10. Section 704-415, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§704-415 Disposition of application for discharge, conditional release, or modification of conditions of release. If the court is satisfied by the report filed pursuant to section 704-414, and such testimony of the reporting examiners as the court deems necessary, that the discharge, conditional release, or modification of conditions of release applied for may be granted without danger to the committed or conditionally released person or to the person or property of others, the court shall grant the application and order the relief. If the court is not so satisfied, it shall promptly order a hearing to determine whether such person may safely be discharged or released. Any such hearing shall be deemed a civil proceeding and the burden shall be upon the applicant to prove that the person may safely be released on the conditions applied for or discharged. According to the determination of the court upon the hearing, the person shall thereupon be discharged, or released on such conditions as the court determines to be necessary, or shall be recommitted to the custody of the director of health, subject to discharge or release only in accordance with the procedure prescribed in section 704-412."]

SECTION 11. The legislative reference bureau shall prepare proposed conforming legislation to make necessary amendments to statutes affected by the repeal of sections 704-402, 704-408, 704-411, 704-412, 704-413, 704-414, and 704-415. The legislative reference bureau shall transmit such proposed legislation to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2004.

SECTION 12. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.

SECTION 13. Statutory material to be repealed in bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 14. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________