At the first appearance of a defendant in court or upon arraignment, and before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court shall ascertain whether the defendant is currently serving in the United States armed forces or is a veteran of such forces. The court shall inform any such defendant that he or she may be entitled to receive mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, or other services as a veteran. Under current law, the chief judge of a judicial district may establish an appropriate program for the treatment of veterans and members of the military. The bill states that, in establishing any such program, the chief judge, in collaboration with the probation department, the district attorney, and the state public defender, shall establish program guidelines and eligibility criteria. The bill requires a court, in determining whether to issue an order to seal criminal records of a petitioner who has successfully completed a veterans treatment program, to consider such factor favorably in making the determination. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The department of human services currently leases portions of the Grand Junction regional center campus to third-party behavioral health providers. The bill authorizes the department to continue such leases until June 30, 2020, and each party to such lease may terminate the lease early provided that the terminating party provide the other party with 90 days notice before vacating the property or requiring the property to be vacated. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Statutory Revision Committee. The bill repeals the requirement that the executive director of the department of revenue publish an historical explanation of income tax rate modifications enacted in the state on every income tax return form.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Statutory Revision Committee. During the 2017 legislative session, the statutory revision committee put forth House Bill 17-1058, which, in part, repealed a requirement that the state controller submit to the general assembly a report of all federal money received by state agencies during the prior fiscal year (report). State agencies are still required to submit an annual report to the state controller of all federal moneys received by the state agency in the prior fiscal year for the state controller's use in preparing the report for the general assembly. The bill repeals the state agency reporting requirement as the state controller is no longer required to prepare a report for the general assembly. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill repeals the behavioral health transformation council (council). Section 1 of the bill repeals the council, and section 2 repeals the automatic termination date of the council pursuant to the sunset law. Sections 3 to 6 make conforming amendments.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill classifies sake as a vinous liquor (wine) for the purposes of the 'Colorado Liquor Code'. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Statutory Revision Committee. In order to increase comprehensibility of the law exempting from state sales tax certain drugs and medical and therapeutic devices, the bill: Condenses the 5 essentially identical definitions of the term 'prescription' in the current law into a single definition; Relocates another defined term within that law so that all definitions are in the same place, which relocation necessitates relettering existing defined terms so as to maintain alphabetical order; and Makes other adjustments to the current language by removing the false imperative, removing superfluous verbiage, and updating internal citations to conform to modern drafting format.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, each school district, board of cooperative services that operates a school, and charter school (local education provider) must adopt a written policy and procedure by which a parent may excuse his or her student from participating in the state assessments. The bill clarifies that the local education provider determines whether notice from the parent must be in writing. Under current law, a local education provider shall not punish a student whose parent excuses him or her from taking a state assessment. The bill clarifies that a local education provider also shall not prohibit the student from participating in an activity or receiving any other form of reward that recognizes participation in the state assessments. . If the department of education or the state board of education receives a parent complaint concerning a local education provider's implementation of the statute concerning students excused from taking assessments, the department must notify the local education provider of the nature of the complaint. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill enacts the 'Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Act' allowing psychologists licensed in any compact state to provide: Telepsychology services to clients in any other compact state; or Temporary in-person client services in any compact state not exceeding 30 days in a calendar year. The bill authorizes the state board of psychologist examiners to promulgate rules and to facilitate Colorado's participation in the compact including notifying the compact commission of any adverse action taken by the board against a Colorado licensed psychologist. The bill appropriates $151,332 from the division of professions and occupations cash fund to the department of regulatory agencies for the division of professions and occupations to implement the bill. The bill reappropriates $15,984 to the department of law for legal services to the department of regulatory agencies and $80,000 to the office of the governor for use by the office of information technology. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, if the owner of a motor vehicle fails to register the vehicle when required the owner must, upon registering the vehicle and subject to a $100 cap, pay a late fee of $25 for each month or portion of a month for which the registration is late. The bill repeals the late fee, effective January 1, 2019. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More
Current law authorizes the creation and maintenance of an electronic system that vehicle towers, insurers, and salvage pools may use to access motor vehicle title records if the vehicle is insured or possessed by those entities. The bill allows an agent of an insurer to use the system in the same circumstances. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill adds to the responsibilities of the Colorado racing commission the protection of all participants, human and animal, involved in horse racing. The commission shall promulgate rules to ensure fair play, human and animal safety, and integrity in the sport of horse racing. The commission shall designate categories of licensees subject to for-cause testing or random testing to detect the presence of prohibited substances. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
