< Back February 17, 2023 Titone’s Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to save farmers and ranchers money and time on costly agricultural equipment repairs. “Right to repair gives farmers and ranchers the tools, information and parts they need to repair their equipment so they can get back in the field,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Often, farmers are forced to spend outrageous amounts on equipment repairs and are left waiting months for a repair technician. This bill gives farmers and ranchers the freedom to fix their own equipment or hire local technicians, saving them money and time and getting them back to work faster.” HB23-1011 passed the House on a preliminary vote and would require agricultural equipment manufacturers to comply with existing consumer right to repair laws. Specifically, agricultural equipment manufacturers would need to provide necessary parts, software, firmware, tools or documentation to independent repair providers and owners at a fair and reasonable price. Under this bill, agricultural equipment manufacturers or dealers selling on behalf of the manufacturer cannot upcharge for any repair items. This bill aims to save farmers and ranchers money on necessary equipment repairs while speeding up the repair process. Agriculture is one of the largest and leading industries in the state of Colorado. HB23-1011 is supported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, the Corn Growers, Wheat Growers, Wool Producers, Fruit and Vegetable Producers, the Cattleman, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Last year, Representatives Titone and Ortiz passed two trailblazing right to repair laws specifically for wheelchair users. These laws require wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts and software to consumers and eliminate the need for prior authorization to repair powered wheelchairs and other complex mobility devices for Medicaid recipients. These laws provided the framework for HB23-1011. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to protect Coloradans’ access to immunizations and science-backed decision making, regardless of changes to federal guidance. < Back March 13, 2026 Feret, Brown Bill to Safeguard Science-Backed Vaccine Recommendations Advances DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to protect Coloradans’ access to immunizations and science-backed decision making, regardless of changes to federal guidance. “Vaccines fight disease, save lives and strengthen public health,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “We need to do more in Colorado to protect the health and safety of our community members, and this bill standardizes state-level vaccine guidance and information while expanding access to this critical health care tool.” “Regardless of the dangerous misinformation and junk science touted by Washington and Secretary Kennedy, this bill prioritizes data-driven information to protect the health and safety of Coloradans,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “We will not allow the federal government’s misguided vaccine policies to put Coloradans at risk. SB26-032 builds upon our work to safeguard immunization access in Colorado and ensure it’s backed by trusted organizations that follow the science.” SB26-032 would allow Colorado’s board of health to continue using science-backed vaccine guidelines from reputable health professional organizations in addition to federal guidance and would add protections to ensure consistent vaccine access and coverage. The bill would also codify pharmacists’ authority to prescribe and administer vaccines and temporarily expand existing state liability protections to more qualified health professionals who provide immunizations. Under this bill, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) would be permitted to purchase certain vaccines for children based on state recommendations. Colorado has traditionally relied on sound federal vaccine recommendations. However, recent shifts in federal vaccine guidance have created uncertainty and confusion, and more states are turning to trusted professional organizations for guidance. The trusted health organizations named in SB26-032 are the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The legislation would build upon last year’s HB25-1027 , sponsored by Representatives Brown and Lindsay Gilchrist, which directed the state Board of Health to consider the recommendations of professional organizations when creating immunization requirements. SB26-032 would not create new vaccine mandates and would not change medical and non-medical exemptions under Colorado law. Colorado recently joined a 15-state lawsuit against the Trump Administration, alleging the recent changes in childhood vaccine recommendations are not scientifically backed, and therefore could pose a community risk. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed seven key childhood vaccine recommendations for children, including COVID, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Matthew Martinez to expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. < Back January 30, 2024 Legislation to Boost Behavioral Health Care Workforce Clears Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Matthew Martinez to expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. HB24-1002 passed unanimously. “We need a robust behavioral health care workforce to meet the needs of Coloradans,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver . “Social workers are critical to the success of our state’s overall behavioral health care system, and we must do everything we can to attract and retain these skilled workers. This bill creates a social work licensure compact, meaning social workers practicing in participating states can seamlessly transition to working and living in Colorado.” “The demand for behavioral health care workers is rising in Colorado, so we are working to remove barriers that prevent qualified, licensed professionals from joining our workforce,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “This bill would make it easier for licensed social workers practicing in partner states to obtain a license in Colorado, saving them money and meeting the needs of Coloradans faster. Additionally, this bill would support military spouses who relocate to Colorado by removing barriers to entering the behavioral health care workforce.” HB24-1002 would create new pathways for out-of-state social workers to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. This bill creates the "Social Work Licensure Compact", which creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed social workers in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for social workers by easing the state-to-state licensure process and increasing behavioral health care access in Colorado. The “Social Work Licensure Compact" would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. Colorado lawmakers have championed nine mobility compact laws over the years, including last year’s HB23-1064 to address Colorado’s teacher shortage. Previous Next

Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, today released the following statements on Governor Polis’ FY 2024-2025 budget proposal: < Back November 1, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Leadership on Governor’s Budget Proposal DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, today released the following statements on Governor Polis’ FY 2024-2025 budget proposal: Statement from Speaker McCluskie: “After years of delivering historic increases in public school funding and making steady progress, the General Assembly this year is poised to eliminate the public school funding deficit (the Budget Stabilization Factor) in Colorado for the first time since 2009. This is the moment that parents, students and teachers have been waiting for, and I’m proud that our responsible budgets and consistent investment in our students have paved the way to make it a reality. The Governor’s budget proposal will build on our collaborative efforts with the JBC and Education Committee Chair Rep. McLachlan to boost per pupil funding to record levels, increase teacher pay, and reduce class sizes to set up our students to thrive. I appreciate Governor Polis’ budget proposal, and I look forward to working with him and the JBC to improve education, support working families and make Colorado a more affordable place to live.” Statement from President Fenberg: “Making sure our kids get the best education possible is one of the most important jobs we have, which is why I am thrilled to see Governor Polis’ budget request put such a strong emphasis on fully funding our schools and eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor once and for all. Governor Polis’ budget request represents a thoughtful, responsible approach that will also save Colorado families money on urgent priorities like housing and health care, while providing badly-needed resources to help achieve our shared goal of making Colorado communities safer. I look forward to working closely with Governor Polis next session as we fight to create a healthier, safer, and stronger Colorado for us all.” Previous Next

HB25-1268 allows Coloradans to access low-interest financing for energy-efficient upgrades to their home through monthly repayments on their utility bills < Back April 23, 2025 House Passes Bill to Save Homeowners Money on Their Utility Bills HB25-1268 allows Coloradans to access low-interest financing for energy-efficient upgrades to their home through monthly repayments on their utility bills DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on their utility bills. HB25-1268 would allow customers to finance energy-efficient upgrades to their homes through smaller monthly payments on their utility bill. HB25-1268 passed the House by a vote of 38-26. “Many Coloradans want the savings, emissions reductions, and increased property values that come with making their home more energy-efficient, but can’t afford the upfront costs,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder . “This bill would make energy-efficient upgrades more affordable and approachable by allowing customers to finance upgrades over time. Our legislation is a win-win; it saves Coloradans money on their utility bills and helps move our state closer to our climate goals.” “From heat pumps to water heaters, there are many energy-efficient upgrades that will increase the value of your home while decreasing energy costs,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood . “While the upfront cost of major energy-efficient upgrades can be intimidating, this legislation would allow customers to finance upgrades slowly through affordable and convenient monthly payments tacked on to their utility bill. HB25-1268 would save Coloradans money, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and bring us closer to reaching our climate goals.” HB25-1268 creates a utility on-bill program to allow customers to finance energy and efficiency upgrades to their homes through monthly repayments on their utility bills. Eligible upgrades include windows, doors, insulation, certain water heaters and heat pumps. Many Coloradans are interested in making energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes, but often cannot afford the large upfront cost. This bill allows customers to pay for their energy-efficient upgrades over time through low-interest monthly payments on their utility bills. This bill aims to make energy-efficient upgrades more affordable and approachable while taking steps now to meet Colorado’s climate goals. HB25-1268 would require a utility company with more than 500,000 residential customers to set up and maintain an on-bill program to meet demand. Other utilities could benefit from the access to low-cost capital through voluntary participation. Energy-efficient upgrades are one of the most effective ways to drive down utility costs and reduce strain on the electric grid. For example, homes with heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and updated insulation can save an average of $570 on their utility bills. The House also passed HB25-1269 by a vote of 40-24. This bill, sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn and Alex Valdez, D-Denver, would help commercial businesses reduce their environmental impact by making energy audits, consulting services, and energy use tracking software more available. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2022 BILL TO END TRANSCRIPT WITHHOLDING PASSES HOUSE ED COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Naquetta Ricks to prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts because a student owes a debt to the institution today passed the House Education Committee by a vote of 6 to 3. “Transcript withholding should never be used as a debt collection tool,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “This tactic disproportionately impacts students of color and those eligible for federal Pell Grants and makes it harder for graduates to use the skills they’ve learned to thrive in the workforce, enlist in the military or enroll in nursing courses. Our legislation would stop post-secondary institutions from using unpaid parking tickets, library fines, and other unpaid debts as a reason to withhold a student’s transcript. We're working hard to break down credit ransom barriers for students so they can succeed after graduation and move Colorado forward." “When a transcript is withheld, it makes it harder for that student to enter the workforce, creating a cycle of unpaid debt that can have lasting impacts on students,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “Students trying to move forward with their lives instead face challenging new barriers because of small unpaid debts like late library book fees or unpaid parking tickets. This hurts our economy and our workforce. We aren’t preparing students for success when institutions teach the skills they’ll need but then withhold their transcripts and diplomas.” HB22-1049 would protect students from transcript withholding when students owe an unpaid debt. It would also prohibit institutions from charging a higher fee or providing less favorable treatment in response to a transcript or diploma request because a student owes a debt. Debts protected by the bill range from unpaid fees to parking tickets, library fees, and other costs students may not realize they owe. Across the country, students owe approximately $15 million in unpaid balances, impacting over 6.6 million students. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES ‘CONVERSION THERAPY’ BAN ON MINORS (Feb. 15) — A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo banning the harmful and widely discredited practice of ‘conversion therapy’ on young people had final passage on the House floor today. “We are talking about the lives of kids. This is a ‘therapy’ that has been proven to be dangerous and harmful. We have to start supporting our kids regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. They deserve so much better than this,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, co-chair of the LGBTQ caucus. The bill protects our LGBTQ youth in Colorado from a dangerous and discredited practice that is aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. “This bill is about allowing Coloradans to be their authentic selves. This dangerous practice harms children and falsely makes them believe that something is wrong with them through the use of shame, rejection and psychological abuse,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet. “We need to put an end to a practice that makes these youths six times more likely to have depression and eight times more likely to attempt suicide.” HB19-1129 includes disciplinary actions for any licensees with their licensing board if conversion therapy is practiced on young person. The bill is aimed at state-licensed medical and mental health practitioners who falsely claim that being gay, bisexual or transgender is a mental illness. The American Psychological Association found that the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy on young people makes them three times more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, six times more likely to fall into depression, and eight times more likely to attempt suicide. This is the fifth time this bill is being introduced at the legislature and Rep. Michaelson Jenet’s second time bringing it forward. If passed, this bill would make Colorado the 16th state to pass a conversion therapy ban on minors. The bipartisan bill passed with a vote of 42-20 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back October 30, 2019 OPIOID AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS STUDY COMMITTEE ADVANCES FIVE BIPARTISAN PROPOSALS Bills address five critical areas: prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and SUD treatment in the criminal justice system DENVER, CO– The Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee today advanced five bipartisan bills to combat the opioid epidemic. Each bill addresses a specific area of focus in slowing the opioid crisis. “The opioid epidemic is devastating communities across Colorado, and our state’s response must meet the urgency this crisis demands,” said Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee Vice Chair Rep. Chris Kennedy (D-Lakewood). “These bipartisan bills build on legislation we previously passed and advance a comprehensive set of policies in each of five categories– prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and treatment for substance use disorders in the criminal justice system.” “It’s been my honor to chair the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee for the last three years to bring forth policies that are leading the nation to address the public health crisis we face,” said Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee Chair Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “This year’s package builds on our previous success and each piece of legislation is essential in addressing the gaps we see in the continuum of care needed to move people into recovery here in Colorado. There is not one silver bullet to address the opioid epidemic; it’s a complex, enormous problem. While today we passed the most impactful package we’ve seen yet, I know that our work isn’t done, and we are committed to continuing the work to address this crisis.” “Working to turn the tide in the deadly opioid epidemic has been one of my top priorities, and I’m proud of our committee’s bipartisan work to craft and move forward these incredibly important proposals,” said Rep. Bri Buentello (D-Pueblo). “From increasing access to treatment, recovery and prevention services to changing how insurance companies cover non-opioid pain treatments, we can make real progress and aggressively combat this crisis.” “Tackling substance use disorder in our criminal justice system is critical to ensuring successful recoveries and for providing treatment services to those who need them,” said Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver). “I’m proud of our bill that would seal records for people who successfully complete treatment programs and which would make medically assisted treatment available to individuals in our criminal justice system.” Prevention of Substance Use Disorders: The first bill the committee passed focuses on prevention efforts. The bill would encourage best practices in healthcare settings to prevent opioid misuse, increase access to alternatives to opioids, expand continuing education for opioid prescribers and support local public health departments in their delivery of prevention services. It would also establish screening and brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) as a health care standard and improve the utilization of evidence-based prevention programs. The bill would make several changes to insurance plans, prohibiting insurance carriers from requiring copayments that exceed the charges submitted by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or acupuncturist. It requires the Commissioner of Insurance to establish diagnosis for which alternatives to opioids are appropriate. Furthermore, it requires health benefit plans to cover a minimum number of physical therapy, occupational therapy and acupuncture per yearIt would require insurance companies to make the atypical opioid or nonopioid medication available at the lowest cost-sharing tier applicable and prohibit them from limiting or excluding coverage for an atypical opioid. The bill also includes several provisions to improve opioid prescribing best practices. It continues the prescribing limitations currently in place, requires new rules to establish competency-based continuing education for prescribers and modifies requirements for adding information to the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). Harm Reduction: The second bill aims to lower the rate of opioid overdoses and related deaths and better prevent the spread of communicable diseases. It would extend civil and criminal immunity for a person who acts in good faith to administer an opiate antagonist, such as naloxone, that has expired. Opiate antagonists that are beyond their expiration date can still be effective in reversing an overdose, but some providers are hesitant to administer them out of concern for their liability even though these expired medications can still save lives. The bill would also require insurance plans to reimburse hospitals that provide a covered individual with an opiate antagonist when discharged. To help prevent communicable diseases, the bill would allow pharmacists to provide syringes and removes a regulatory barrier to operating syringe exchange programs. Treatment in the Criminal Justice System: The third bill the committee advanced would help combat substance use disorders in the criminal justice system. It would require the department of corrections and other agencies to make medication assisted treatment (MAT), continuity of care and community resources available prior to release. It would also allow safe stations (police stations, sheriff’s offices, and fire stations) to receive any controlled substance for disposal and refer individuals with SUD to treatment. Under the bill, if an individual enters or successfully completes a SUD treatment program, their records may be sealed. The bill also appropriates funding to criminal justice diversion programs. Treatment of Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders: The fourth bill would make changes to insurance plans, managed care entities and pharmacy benefits to increase access to SUD treatment. Under the bill, insurance carriers must provide coverage for SUD treatment in accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) or an alternate nationally recognized criteria if ASAM criteria is no longer available, relevant, or follow best practices. Carriers are also required to provide coverage for naloxone, without prior authorization, deductibles, copayment, coinsurance or other cost-sharing requirements. Carriers must report the number of in-network providers who are licensed to prescribe MAT to the commissioner of insurance. The commissioner of insurance may also review and revise the essential health benefits package for MAT.The bill further increases access to treatment by requiring managed care entities to provide care coordination for the full continuum of SUD treatment and recovery. It would prohibit denying access to MAT or SUD treatment services, including recovery services, to individuals who are participating in MAT provided by a recovery residence and entities contracting with the Office of Behavioral Health. Pharmacies would be able to receive an enhanced dispensing fee for the administration of all injectable medications for MAT. The legislation would require an updated community assessment every two years on the sufficiency of SUD services in the community. With SUD impacting families in many different ways, the bill would also require a study of state child care and treatment to make findings and recommendations concerning gaps in family-centered SUD treatment. The study would also look to identify alternative payment structures for funding child care and children’s services alongside SUD treatment of a child’s parent. Finally, the bill would increase access to treatment in rural communities by expanding the provider workforce. It increases funding to the Colorado Health Service Corps Fund for loan forgiveness and scholarships for individuals serving in areas with healthcare workforce shortages. It would also continue a grant writing program to help local communities access federal and state money to address the opioid epidemic, and requires the Office of Behavioral Health to implement a program for training and community outreach related to alcohol and SUD treatment. SUD Recovery: The final bill advanced today seeks to increase access to recovery services. It increases funding for housing assistance by $4 million to $5 million total and extends the funding for an additional fiscal year. It would also appropriate $2 million to the Office of Behavioral Health in the Department of Human Services to expand the Individual Placement and Support Program, a program that helps people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders find and keep jobs. The bill supports recovery community organizations by appropriating $3.5 million to create the Recovery Support Services Grant Program and appropriates $250,000 to the Department of Labor and Employment to support individuals in recovery by providing peer coaching. The bill also seeks to help policymakers better understand the connection between prenatal substance exposure and health outcomes by authorizing a statewide perinatal substance use data linkage project. It would also modify the how determinations of child abuse, neglect, or dependency are determined in situations involving alcohol or substance exposure. Finally, the bill would continue the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee for four additional years, meeting every other year beginning in 2021. It would require the State Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force to bring stakeholders together to review progress on bills introduced by the opioid committee and passed by the General Assembly and to generate policy recommendations. Furthermore, it would require the Center for Research into Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Support Strategies to conduct a comprehensive study of Colorado’s SUD treatment and recovery services to inform a state plan for the delivery of services for individuals at risk of relapse. Brief, comprehensive summaries of the legislation advanced today can be found here . Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2021 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE BILLS PASS HOUSE DENVER, CO– The House today passed two bills on third reading and final passage which would create the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration and allow small businesses that go over the 100 employee cap for small group market plans to remain on their insurance plans. “The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration will bring major reforms to improve access to mental health care and ensure that more Coloradans can get the care they need,” s aid Rep. Young D-Greeley. “Even before the pandemic, we were looking at innovative ways to connect Coloradans with behavioral health services. Creating this new Behavioral Health Administration will help our state build back stronger by bolstering mental health care in Colorado.” HB21-1097 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Rod Pelton, passed by a vote of 52-8 and would create the Behavioral Health Administration to ensure that every Coloradan experiencing behavioral health needs has access to timely, high-quality services in their communities that they can afford. It tasks the Department of Human Services with creating a plan for a single state entity that would be responsible for administering and overseeing behavioral health programs in Colorado. “Small businesses shouldn’t be punished by having to find a new health plan just because they hire a few more employees,” said Rep. Hooton, D-Boulder. “ By fixing this problem, small businesses can create jobs and keep their health insurance plans. This easy and simple bipartisan solution will support small businesses and increase access to affordable health care.” Under SB21-090 , which passed by a vote of 60-0 and is sponsored by Representative Edie Hooton, small businesses participating in small group insurance plans may renew these plans even if they exceed the 100 employee cap on small business plans. This would allow a growing small business to hire new employees without risking the health insurance of all their employees. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed a bill to streamline the construction of and expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for homeowners and renters.  < Back May 23, 2023 Polis Signs Bill to Expand EV Charging DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed a bill to streamline the construction of and expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for homeowners and renters. “There are many Coloradans who are interested in owning an EV, however it can be difficult to secure charging locations near their home or even in their neighborhoods,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Our law builds up and expands EV charging infrastructure across our state so we can accommodate current and future EV owners. We’re committed to making EV use more accessible for all Coloradans because it cuts back on our greenhouse gas emissions, creates more jobs and saves people money.” “With more EVs on the road than ever before, Colorado needs to invest in EV-specific infrastructure to help meet growing demand and cut down our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “ This law breaks down barriers to owning an EV by creating more charging stations, which can be tough to secure if you’re living in an apartment. We’re setting into motion a plan to vastly expand EV charging across the state and save Coloradans money in the process.” HB23-1233 , sponsored by Representatives Tisha Mauro and Alex Valdez, removes barriers to EV ownership by improving access to EV charging, especially for renters and those living in multifamily housing. Specifically, HB23-1233 expands electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new construction to accommodate future and current EV owners. The law updates electric code requirements, removes burdensome parking restrictions for EVs, and provides property tax relief to Coloradans for EV charging stations. HB23-1233 is part of a broader legislative package to incentivize the advancement and adoption of clean energy technologies, accelerate the clean energy transition and make Colorado a leader in budding clean energy technologies. Previous Next

SB25-041 would refine competency restoration and services to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and more quickly bring cases to trial < Back April 22, 2025 Bipartisan Bill to Improve Competency Restoration Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to restore competency to more individuals with behavioral health disorders in the criminal justice system. SB25-041 passed committee by a vote of 9-2. “To create safer communities, we need to make sure Coloradans in the criminal justice system with behavioral health disorders receive the care they need to effectively stand trial,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “Without consistent behavioral health care for these individuals, criminal trials are likely to be delayed, which hinders our justice system. This bill streamlines access to inpatient services for those in the criminal justice system to help reduce recidivism and prioritize justice for survivors.” SB25-041 is also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County. This bill would allow the state to provide inpatient services for an additional 90 days after an individual’s case is dismissed because the person is deemed “incompetent to proceed.” The bill also allows the state to work with community organizations to provide permanent supportive housing for these individuals or those who complete the Bridges of Colorado program. Without streamlined access to inpatient services, such as psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, or addiction treatment, the overall health of those with behavioral health disorders could regress, resulting in a delayed competency restoration and ultimately extending the time before individuals can even stand trial. This bill aims to provide consistent inpatient services to those with behavioral health disorders, provide clarification for courts, and pause the statute of limitations for those seeking competency diversion programs in Colorado’s criminal justice system. The bill was recommended last interim by the Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee , which is responsible for overseeing its associated task force and implementing recommendations regarding the treatment of people with behavioral health disorders in the criminal and juvenile justice systems until 2027. Previous Next

< Back May 1, 2019 MCLACHLAN’S BIPARTISAN BILL ON FULL-DAY FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN HEADED TO GOVERNOR’S DESK McLachlan-Wilson bill will help invest in Colorado’s future (Apr. 30) – A bipartisan bill by Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Rep Jim Wilson, R-Salida, to fund full-day kindergarten is heading to the Governor’s desk. The upcoming state budget proposes funding full-day kindergarten in a responsible, sustainable manner. “This bill is about setting our kids up for success－the kids who live in rural, urban, and suburban areas, on the Western Slope, on the Eastern Plains and in every corner of our state,” said Rep. McLachlan, chair of the House Education committee. “Access to early childhood education is the best gift we can give to young learners. This is a historic moment and I am proud that we were able to get full-day kindergarten to the governor for his signature. Full-day K will provide terrific benefits for the hardworking families of our state for many years to come.” Many young students lack access to full-day kindergarten, despite research showing they will benefit significantly from this learning experience. While a large number of Colorado schools have increased access to full day kindergarten over time despite inadequate funding, there are still 14,000 children without access to this important educational resource. Those who lack access often face some of the steepest obstacles to affording the tuition that is charged in many districts or live in communities that cannot afford to cut resources from other parts of the K-12 budget to offer a free full-day experience. Increased state funding would help open doors to a research-proven strategy to improve children’s academic and life success. An added benefit of funding full-day kindergarten is the complementary freeing up of more than 5,000 Early Childhood At-Risk Enhancement (ECARE) slots in the Colorado Preschool Program for young learners. HB19-1262 was approved in the House with a bipartisan vote of 54-11. It was approved unanimously in the Senate. The text of HB19-1262 can be found here . Previous Next