NORWICH – Pointing to a growing number of indicted individuals who require mental health evaluations to stand trial, Chenango County Behavioral Health Services is adding another $120,000 to its budget to meet mandatory expenses through the end of the year.

According to agency heads, the appropriation of extra funds is needed to cover expenses for Behavioral Health’s restoration services program, a New York State mandated program that deals with individuals with mental illness who have been charged of a crime and deemed too unfit to proceed with court hearings. The county legislature earmarked $540,000 for the program in this year’s budget, a $100,000 increase over the 2024 budget.

“If a judge has an inclination that a person is incompetent to understand, then they have an obligation under [Article] 730 to refer them for an evaluation,” explained Chenango County Attorney Zachary Wentworth. “They can have a bit of discussion as far as whether they believe the person is understanding or not; but mainly if there’s an argument that the person is unable to assist in their defense and can’t understand it, then they have to be referred for a 730 evaluation.”

Individuals in the county’s restoration services program who received a 730 evaluation and were found unfit to stand trial are placed in facilities overseen by the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) or Office of Mental Health (OMH), both of which can charge the county between $700 and $1,400 per day for the care of just one individual.