KRS 533.251: Pretrial diversion program for felony drug offender and felony offender

with a history of substance abuse.

(1) Every pretrial diversion program shall set as a condition precedent for entry into the

program that any defendant charged with a Class D fel ony offense under KRS

Chapter 218A and any defendant charged with a Class D felony offense whose

criminal, medical, or mental health record indicates a present need for or benefit

from substance abuse treatment participate in and demonstrate suitable compl iance

with the terms of a secular or faith -based substance abuse treatment or recovery

program if space is available in a treatment or recovery program suitable for that

defendant. The substance abuse treatment or recovery program shall be appropriate

to t he defendant's needs, and may include commitment to an intensive outpatient

program, a residential substance abuse treatment or recovery facility, or the

intensive secured drug abuse treatment program developed under KRS 196.285.

Consideration may be given , in whole or in part, to a defendant's participation in

drug monitoring or a substance abuse treatment or recovery plan ordered under KRS

431.518 as evidence of suitable compliance under this section.

(2) The court may waive compliance with subsection (1) of this section if the defendant

can show that exigent circumstances exist sufficient to justify diversion program

participation without a prior demonstration of treatment compliance.

(3) The court may continue in effect any nonfinancial conditions of pre trial release

imposed under KRS 431.520 or 431.525 and may hold the case in abeyance during

the period of time the defendant is attempting treatment or recovery prior to

diversion under subsection (1) of this section.

(4) The court may allow a person charg ed with a Class C felony to participate in a

secular or faith -based substance abuse treatment or recovery program under

subsection (1) of this section or obtain a waiver under subsection (2) of this section.

If the person is successful in the program or is waived, the person shall be eligible

for entry into the pretrial diversion program under the same terms, conditions, and

limitations as a Class D felon.