h_hie_2017a_2017-05-09t12:59:46z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/09/2017

Location: HCR 0107

01:41 PM -- SB 17-021



Representative Singer presented Senate Bill 17-021 to the committee, along with amendment L.015 (Attachment B). The reengrossed bill establishes a housing program for persons with mental illness transitioning from incarceration. The housing assistance program is to be managed by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and is intended to provide vouchers and other support services to persons with a mental health disorder or co-occurring behavioral health disorder and newly released from the Department of Corrections (DOC), the Division of Youth Corrections (DYC) in the Department of Human Services, or county jail. The DOLA is required to provide grants or loans for the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of rental housing for persons with behavioral or mental health disorders.



170509 AttachB.pdf



The bill creates the Housing Assistance for Persons Transitioning from Incarceration Cash Fund, which consists of moneys transferred from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and moneys appropriated by the General Assembly.



Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any money appropriated from the General Fund for community corrections that is unexpended or unencumbered at the close of the fiscal year is transferred to the new cash fund created under the bill for the DOLA housing assistance program. The bill also allows Marijuana Tax Cash Fund moneys to be used for housing, rental assistance, and reentry assistance provided by DOLA.