DUTIES OF VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM

(a) A veterans treatment court program established under this chapter must: (1) if there has not yet been a disposition in the criminal case, ensure that a defendant eligible for participation in the program is provided legal counsel before volunteering to proceed through the program and while participating in the program; (2) allow a participant arrested for or charged with an offense to withdraw from the program at any time before a trial on the merits has been initiated; (3) provide a participant with a court-ordered individualized treatment plan indicating the services that will be provided to the participant; and (4) ensure that the jurisdiction of the veterans treatment court continues for a period of not less than six months but does not continue beyond the period of community supervision for the offense charged. (b) A veterans treatment court program established under this chapter shall make, establish, and publish local procedures to ensure maximum participation of eligible defendants in the program. (b-1) A veterans treatment court program may allow a participant to comply with the participant's court-ordered individualized treatment plan or to fulfill certain other court obligations through the use of videoconferencing software or other Internet-based communications. (c) This chapter does not prevent the initiation of procedures under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure.