Senate Bill 25-208

BY SENATOR(S) Amabile and Bridges, Kirkmeyer;

also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Bird and Sirota, Taggart, Boesenecker, Espenoza, Lindsay, Phillips.

Concerning the amount that the department of corrections covers for penal communications services, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

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

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 17-42-103, amend (1.5) introductory portion, (1.5)(b), and (1.5)(c); and add (1.5)(d) as follows:

17-42-103.  Policies concerning inmates' use of telephones - excessive rates prohibited - transparency of communications services in correctional facilities - report - definitions. (1.5)  In administering the use of penal communications services pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, access to penal communications services must not be limited beyond what is necessary for routine facility operations. The department shall provide penal communications services, excluding video calls or electronic mail or messaging, free of charge to the person initiating and the person receiving the penal communications service, and implement the provision of free penal communicationcommunications services, excluding video calls or electronic mail or messaging, according to the following timeline:

(b)  Beginning July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, the department shall cover thirty-five percent of the total penal communications costs; and

(c)  Beginning July 1, 2025, and thereafter, the department shall cover one hundredseventy-five percent of all penal communicationcommunications costs; and

(d)  Beginning July 1, 2026, and thereafter, the department shall cover one hundred percent of all penal communications costs.

SECTION 2.  Appropriation. For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $1,436,165 is appropriated to the department of corrections for use by institutions. This appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act, the institutions may use this appropriation for inmate telephone calls.

SECTION 3.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.