Mental illness and intellectual disability examinations -- Responsibilities of the department

(1) In accomplishing the department's duties to conduct a competency evaluation under Title 77, Chapter 15, Defendant's Competency to Proceed, and a juvenile competency evaluation under Section 80-6-402, the department shall proceed as outlined in this section and within appropriations authorized by the Legislature. (2) When the department is ordered by a court to conduct a competency evaluation, the department shall designate a forensic evaluator, selected under Subsection (4), to evaluate the defendant in the defendant's current custody or status. (3) When the department is ordered by the juvenile court to conduct a juvenile competency evaluation under Section 80-6-402, the department shall: (a) designate an examiner selected in accordance with Subsection (4) to evaluate the minor; and (b) upon a finding of good cause and order of the court, designate a second examiner to evaluate the minor. (4) (a) The department shall establish criteria, in consultation with the Department of Criminal Justice, and shall contract with persons to conduct competency evaluations and juvenile competency evaluations under Subsections (2) and (3)(b). (b) In making the selection described in Subsection (4)(a), the department shall follow the provisions of Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code. (5) (a) Nothing in this section prohibits the department, at the request of defense counsel or a prosecuting attorney in a criminal proceeding under Title 77, Criminal Procedure, and for good cause shown, from proposing a person who has not been previously selected under Subsection (4) to contract with the department to conduct the evaluation. (b) In selecting that person, the criteria of the department established under Subsection (4) and the provisions of Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, shall be met.