(a)Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall implement a pilot project between the circuit courts in 2 counties and Department of Human Services facilities treating persons unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity.
(b)The purpose of the pilot project is to determine the feasibility and desirability of using video conference technology for hearings involving persons who are unfit to stand trial and persons who have been determined not guilty by reason of insanity. The Department of Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall review the video conference technology and develop guidelines for the specific technology, means of private conferencing between the defendant and
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(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall implement a pilot project between the circuit courts in 2 counties and Department of Human Services facilities treating persons unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. (b) The purpose of the pilot project is to determine the feasibility and desirability of using video conference technology for hearings involving persons who are unfit to stand trial and persons who have been determined not guilty by reason of insanity. The Department of Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall review the video conference technology and develop guidelines for the specific technology, means of private conferencing between the defendant and his or her attorney during the hearings, and any specific determinations that are not suitable for video conference hearings. The Department of Human Services and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall submit a joint report to the General Assembly 6 months after the pilot project between the 2 counties and Department facilities has been operational for at least 2 years. Individual defendants, State's Attorneys, defense attorneys, and other personnel may submit comments to be considered in preparing the joint report. Presiding judges may submit comments to either the Department of Human Services or to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. All comments submitted only to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall be confidential and also may contain the reporting judge's observations, comments, or recommendations. The reports shall: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of the video conference hearing process; and (2) make recommendations concerning the implementation of video conference hearings in all counties. (c) The Department of Human Services shall provide all necessary administrative support for the pilot project.