Committee Passes Bill to Reduce Recidivism Through Behavioral Health Care

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January 21, 2025
Committee Passes Bill to Reduce Recidivism Through Behavioral Health Care
DENVER, CO -
The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English
that would reduce recidivism by improving access to quality behavioral health care in the criminal justice system
. The bill passed by a vote of
6-5
.
“This bill will improve public safety by reducing recidivism rates and slowing the cycle of reincarceration,”
said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs.
“Unfortunately, many individuals in custody re-offend once released due to a lack of access to mental health services needed to stabilize and successfully reenter society. Supporting jails that provide behavioral health services and treatments for Coloradans with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, and overall behavioral health needs will make our communities safer and reduce the likelihood of someone reoffending.”
HB25-1008
, also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, would allow for funding to be utilized to increase training opportunities for jail staff to provide services and treatments for various behavioral health disorders for Coloradans in custody.
The Jail-Based Behavioral Health Services Program, established by a
bipartisan law
in 2018, provides behavioral health screening and access to services such as therapeutic treatment and psychiatric medication prescriptions to individuals in custody while supporting continuity of care within the community once released.
The committee also passed
HB25-1058
to update the procedures for not guilty by reason of insanity cases requiring the court, the Department of Human Services, and involved parties to determine whether a sanity examination requires the defendant to stay overnight or longer for further examination.  If the defendant is at liberty on summons or on bond, this bill would allow the court to have broader authority during situations when a defendant is placed in custody in order to conduct the sanity examination. The bill passed by a vote of 8-2.
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