HB 25-1015: Ability to Pay Bond Online Clarifications - Colorado

Rerevised (03/18/2025) → Revised (03/17/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was revised to update the header information and add new text clarifying bond release timelines. The most significant change is the addition of new language specifying that the six-hour release timeline for cash bonds begins when payment is submitted online or a power of attorney is filed electronically, rather than just when the defendant is physically present in the jail.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding bond release timelines was expanded to include specific conditions for online and electronic payment processing.

TIMELINE

New text clarifies that the six-hour release timeline for cash bonds begins when payment is submitted online or electronically filed, rather than solely when the defendant is physically present in the jail.

TECHNICAL

Header text was changed from 'REREVISED' to 'REVISED' and updated to reflect amendments adopted on second reading in the Second House.

The '3rd Reading Unamended' stamp and date were removed from the document header.

Final Act (03/25/2025) → Rerevised (03/18/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reorganized and renumbered from the House to the Senate version, with updated formatting and dates. The substantive policy content regarding online bond posting remains the same, clarifying that bonds can be posted online via credit card, limiting fees, and setting a six-hour release timeline after online payment submission.

TECHNICAL

Document structure changed from House Bill format to Senate Rerevised version with updated page headers, reading dates, and committee assignments.

Bill summary section was reformatted and moved to reflect the Senate version's presentation style.

Line numbers and formatting markers were adjusted to match Senate amendment markup conventions.

Signed Act (03/31/2025) → Final Act (03/25/2025) · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill clarifies that monetary bonds can be posted online using credit cards, reducing the need for defendants or third-party payers to visit jails in person. It also corrects terminology from 'payer' to 'payor' and adjusts a deadline for online bond posting capabilities from January 1, 2022 to October 1, 2025.

Scope change

The bill maintains its scope regarding bail procedures but updates technical requirements and deadlines related to online bond posting.

REQUIREMENT

Added explicit authorization for posting monetary bonds online using credit cards, previously only cash, money orders, or cashier's checks were mentioned.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for jails to establish online bond payment capabilities from January 1, 2022 to October 1, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Corrected terminology throughout the document from 'payer' to 'payor' for consistency and accuracy.

Added formatting note indicating the bill has been prepared for signatures and directing readers to legislative status sheets for Governor's action.

Reengrossed (01/27/2025) → Signed Act (03/31/2025) · 5 edits · Mar 31, 2025

MODERATE

This bill clarifies and updates Colorado's bail posting laws to ensure bonds can be posted online with the same rights and protections as in-person posting. Key changes include updating the deadline for online bond posting capabilities from January 1, 2022 to October 1, 2025, and adding specific release timeline rules for online bond submissions. The bill also clarifies that defendants must be released regardless of outstanding fees once their bond is posted, including online postings.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on bail procedures but expands clarity around online posting requirements and release timelines. The deadline for implementing online bond posting capabilities was extended by approximately seven years from the original 2022 date.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for jails to establish online bond posting capabilities from January 1, 2022 to October 1, 2025

REQUIREMENT

Added specific language clarifying that the six-hour release timeline begins when payment is submitted online or when a power of attorney is electronically filed

Added requirement that defendants must be released regardless of outstanding fees once their bond is posted, including online postings

Added provisions for when electronic monitoring delays release, specifying that defendants may be held up to 24 hours after bond posting if electronic monitoring is required

TECHNICAL

Updated sponsor lists and formatting to reflect current legislative session information

Engrossed (01/24/2025) → Reengrossed (01/27/2025) · 3 edits · Mar 18, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to include additional co-sponsors and updated the bill number from 1029 to 1015 to reflect the new legislative version. The substantive policy content regarding online bond posting requirements remains unchanged, with no modifications to the core provisions governing when and how bonds must be posted.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; only administrative updates to co-sponsor list and bill number.

TECHNICAL

Added multiple co-sponsors to the House sponsorship list: Bacon, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, Espenoza, Garcia, Gilchrist, Hamrick, Joseph, Lieder, Lindsay, Marshall, Martinez, McCluskie, Phillips, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Stewart R., Titone, Velasco, and Woodrow.

Updated bill number from 1029 to 1015 in the page headers to reflect the reengrossed version.

Changed header text from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' and updated the date reference to January 27, 2025.

Introduced (01/08/2025) → Engrossed (01/24/2025) · 3 edits · Mar 18, 2025

MINOR

This bill was amended to clarify that all bonds postable in person must also be postable online, ensuring equal rights for defendants and payers regardless of payment method. The amendment adds requirements for sheriffs to post online payment instructions on their websites and clarifies when the six-hour release timeline begins for online bond payments.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to ensure online bond posting is available for all bonds that can be paid in person, rather than just clarifying existing online posting rules.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for sheriffs to post instructions on their websites describing how to post bond online.

Changed language to require that all bonds postable in person must also be postable online, rather than just clarifying that online posting is an option.

TIMELINE

Clarified that the six-hour release timeline for online bond payments begins when payment is submitted online, rather than when the defendant is physically present in jail.

Ability to Pay Bond Online Clarifications

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