HB 1385: Public Defender & Prosecutor Behavioral Health Program - Colorado

Rerevised → Final Act · 3 edits · May 21, 2026

MINOR

This bill directs 100% of the funding for the Public Defender and Prosecutor Behavioral Health Support Program in fiscal year 2026-27 to the Office of the State Public Defender, rather than splitting the funds with the Colorado District Attorneys' Council. The change is based on the finding that the Council has sufficient unspent funds from previous years to handle the program alone, making additional allocation unnecessary. The bill also includes a repeal provision that removes this specific funding directive effective December 31, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope is narrowed for the 2026-27 fiscal year by excluding the Colorado District Attorneys' Council from receiving a share of the program's funding, which previously received a portion of the allocation.

FISCAL

Allocates 100% of the behavioral health support program funds to the Office of the State Public Defender for fiscal year 2026-27, removing the previous split with the Colorado District Attorneys' Council.

TIMELINE

Adds a repeal provision that removes the special 100% allocation rule effective December 31, 2027, returning the program to its standard funding distribution.

ELIGIBILITY

Establishes that the Colorado District Attorneys' Council has sufficient unspent funds from prior years to administer the program without additional appropriations.

Revised → Rerevised · 2 edits · Apr 16, 2026

MINOR

The bill has been re-revised to include additional amendments adopted by the Senate, bringing the total number of Senate sponsors from three to four by adding Kolker and Wallace. The document also includes a new header indicating the bill is now at the 3rd Reading Unamended stage, dated April 16, 2026, for the Senate.

TECHNICAL

Added two new Senate sponsors, Kolker and Wallace, to the bill's sponsorship list.

Added a header indicating the bill is at the 3rd Reading Unamended stage with a specific date of April 16, 2026.

Reengrossed → Revised · 2 edits · Apr 15, 2026

MINOR

The bill's title and summary were updated to reflect that 100% of the funding for the Public Defender and Prosecutor Behavioral Health Support Program for fiscal year 2026-27 will be directed to the Office of the State Public Defender. This change clarifies the funding allocation split, ensuring the full amount goes to the State Public Defender rather than being shared.

Scope change

The scope of funding allocation was modified to direct 100% of the program funds to the Office of the State Public Defender.

FISCAL

The funding allocation for the Public Defender and Prosecutor Behavioral Health Support Program was changed to direct 100% of the funds to the Office of the State Public Defender for fiscal year 2026-27.

TIMELINE

The bill's status markers were updated from 'Reengrossed' to 'Revised' and reading dates were adjusted to reflect the legislative timeline.

Engrossed → Reengrossed · 4 edits · Apr 11, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to include all amendments adopted during the House of Introduction, updating the document title and sponsorship list to reflect the new co-sponsor. The bill summary was revised to clarify that it now applies to the reengrossed version and includes a specific date (April 11, 2026) for the third reading, indicating a procedural update rather than a substantive policy change.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title from 'Engrossed' to 'Reengrossed' to reflect the inclusion of all amendments adopted in the House of Introduction.

Added a new co-sponsor, Taggart, to the House sponsorship list.

Revised the bill summary note to specify that it applies to the reengrossed version and includes amendments adopted in the House of Introduction.

TIMELINE

Added a specific date (April 11, 2026) and reading status to the bill summary header.

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Apr 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was formally amended and approved by the House of Representatives on April 9, 2026, transitioning from its initial introduction to its engrossed version. The primary substantive change involves a modification to the funding allocation for the public defender and prosecutor behavioral health support program, directing 100% of the funds to the office of the public defender. The document also includes standard legislative formatting updates, such as the addition of amendment adoption notes and page number adjustments.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the behavioral health support program was modified to alter the internal funding split, now requiring all funds to go to the office of the public defender.

FISCAL

The funding allocation for the public defender and prosecutor behavioral health support program was changed to direct 100% of the program's funds to the office of the public defender.

TECHNICAL

Added a header indicating the bill is engrossed and includes all amendments adopted on second reading in the House.

Added the date of House approval (April 9, 2026) and the specific amendment adoption timestamp.

Updated the bill number display on the second page to reflect the engrossed version.

Public Defender & Prosecutor Behavioral Health Program

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