1B69FE447DD0B296872587DE007FD550 Hearing Summary

Senators Simpson and Lee, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-010, concerning pretrial diversion programs that are intended to identify eligible individuals who have behavioral health disorders in order to divert them from the criminal justice system into community treatment programs. 

Senator Simpson discussed that the bill is a recommendation from the Legislative Oversight Committee of the Treatment of Person with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System (MHDCJS).

Senator Lee distributed a handout from the Mental Health Diversion Program FY21 Annual Report (Attachment E).  He discussed moving individuals away from the criminal justice system and into behavioral health treatment.  

Terry Scanlon, representing the Colorado Judicial Department, testified in support of the bill.

Kara Martin, representing the Colorado Judicial Department, testified in support of the bill.  

Mr. James Karbach, representing Colorado State Public Defender's Office, testified in support of the bill.  He emphasized that pretrial diversion programs should serve all eligible individuals, regardless of behavioral health disorders.

Ms. Jennifer Roberts, representing Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Lee presented Amendment L.002 about access to pretrial diversion programs (Attachment F).

Senator Rodriguez presented Amendment L.003 about injectable medicines (Attachment G). 

Senator Lee explained reasoning for routing the bill to the Committee on Appropriations.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.