House Bill 25-1129

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Rydin and Garcia, Bacon, Brown, Caldwell, Clifford, Duran, English, Froelich, Jackson, Lieder, Lindsay, Mabrey, Rutinel, Stewart R., Story, McCluskie;

also SENATOR(S) Amabile and Ball, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Michaelson Jenet, Snyder, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman.

Concerning a peer-to-peer behavioral health services program for offenders nearing release from a correctional facility.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 17-33-101, amend (5) introductory portion, (5)(e), (5)(f), and (9); and add (5)(g) as follows:

17-33-101.  Reentry planning and programs for adult parole - grant program - rules - reports - definitions - repeal. (5)  Subject to appropriations, on and after July 1, 2014, the department shall develop and implement initiatives specifically designed to assist each offender's transition from a correctional facility into the community. An initiative developed and implemented pursuant to this subsection (5) may include, but need not be limited to, the following components:

(e)  Consolidation and expansion of emergency assistance contract funding to effectively provide assistance to parolees in the community; and

(f)  A program to provide medication-assisted therapies to eligible offenders; and

(g)  Peer support professional behavioral health services provided by credentialed peer support professionals or other researched-based programs.

(9)  For purposes ofAs used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)  "Peer support professional behavioral health services" means services that facilitate activities and interactions between people who share similar experiences of being diagnosed with behavioral health conditions, including substance use disorders.

(b)  "Recidivism" means a return to prison in Colorado for either new criminal activity or a technical violation of parole, probation, or non-departmental community placement within three years ofafter release.

SECTION 2.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.