SB 1383

Abstract

Criminal proceedings; consideration of mentalcondition and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Permitsthe admission of evidence concerning a defendant's mental conditionat the time of an alleged offense, including expert testimony, ifsuch evidence (i) tends to show the defendant did or did not havethe specific mental state required for the offense charged and (ii)is otherwise admissible pursuant to the general rules of evidence.If a defendant intends to present expert testimony evidence, the bill requires him or his counsel to give notice in writing to theattorney for the Commonwealth. The bill also clarifies that a diagnosisof an intellectual or developmental disability shall be consideredby a judicial officer for the purpose of rebuttal of a presumptionagainst bail and that a court may order that a sentencing reportprepared by a probation officer contain any diagnoses of an intellectualor developmental disability.