New Law Will Improve Treatment of People with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System

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June 2, 2025
New Law Will Improve Treatment of People with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System
SB25-041 will refine competency restoration and sanity examinations while expanding supportive housing for incarcerated individuals
DENVER, CO –
The Governor today signed
legislation
sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Representative and Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, to improve services for people with behavioral health disorders in the criminal justice system.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and protected in their interactions with law enforcement and the justice system, especially people battling serious behavioral health issues,”
said Michaelson Jenet.
“This new law works to streamline and protect access to the resources that the most vulnerable people in the criminal justice system need to heal and eventually re-enter their communities feeling healthier, stronger and more productive.”
“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 stand trial effectively,”
said English.
“Without consistent behavioral health care for these individuals, criminal trials are likely to be delayed, which hinders our justice system. This new law streamlines access to inpatient services for those in the criminal justice system to help reduce recidivism and prioritize justice for survivors.”
“Coloradans seeking support in the aftermath of mental health crises deserve comprehensive care and a system willing to treat them with dignity,”
said Amabile.
“Every American is owed the right to fair criminal trial, and we owe it to victims, defendants, their families and their communities to implement an equitable and dignified environment for proceedings to take place.”
SB25-041
, cosponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, will allow the Colorado Department of Human Services to continue providing inpatient services for up to 90 days after an individual’s case is dismissed because the person is deemed “incompetent to proceed.” It also allows the department to work with community organizations to provide permanent supportive housing for these individuals or those who complete the
Bridges of Colorado program
.
The new law was recommended 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.
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