County Courthouse and County Jail Funding and Overcrowding Solutions Interim Study Committee. Under current law, the general assembly establishes in its annual general appropriations bill the amount that the department of corrections (department) is required to reimburse any county or city and county for a portion of the expenses and costs incurred by that county or city and county for the confinement and maintenance in a local jail of any person who is sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a correctional facility. The bill states that, to assist the general assembly in determining such rate of reimbursement, each county and each city and county shall report to the joint budget committee the average cost of confining and maintaining persons in a local jail for more than 72 hours after each such person has been sentenced to the custody of the department. The joint budget committee is required to establish guidelines to ensure that each county and each city and county reports costs in a uniform manner.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More
The bill modifies and repeals selected provisions of recent legislation (S.B. 13-252) in the following areas: S.B. 13-252's increase in the renewable portfolio standard for cooperative electric associations serving 100,000 or more meters, which for 2020 had been increased from 10% to 20%, returns to 10%; S.B. 13-252's expansion of the definition of 'eligible energy resources' is curtailed by eliminating synthetic gas produced by pyrolysis of municipal waste, but the inclusion of coal mine methane is retained, subject to a determination by the public utilities commission that the coal mine methane is greenhouse gas neutral, and large and preexisting hydroelectric generation facilities are added; A multiplier in the formula for calculation of renewable energy credits used to accelerate the construction of new solar generation, which expired in 2015 under S.B. 13-252, is reinstated; The maximum permissible retail rate impact of compliance with the standards, which S.B. 13-252 increased from 1% to 2% for cooperative electric associations, returns to 1%; S.B. 13-252's additional carve-outs for distributed generation are eliminated; and Reporting requirements and portfolio standards for cooperative electric associations that sell electricity wholesale (qualifying wholesale utilities) are eliminated.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
Under current law, the penalty for driving under restraint due to a first alcohol-related offense is imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days to not more than one year and a fine of not less than $500 to not more than $1,000. The bill increases the minimum penalty to not less than 60 days and not less than $1,000 to not more than $2,000. Under current law, the penalty for driving under restraint due to a second or subsequent alcohol-related offense is imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 90 days to not more than 2 years and a fine of not less than $500 to not more than $2,000. The bill increases the minimum penalty to not less than 120 days and not less than $2,000 to not more than $4,000. If a person drives negligently while under restraint due to an alcohol-related offense and the person's conduct is a proximate cause of another person's death, the person commits a class 5 felony. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
The bill requires local juvenile services planning committees to devise a plan to manage dually identified crossover youth. A dually identified crossover youth is a youth involved in both the juvenile justice system and the child welfare system. The plan must contain descriptions and processes to include the following: A process for the identification of dually identified crossover youth at the earliest reasonable point of contact; A method for collaborating and exchanging information with other judicial districts; A process for promptly communicating information about the youth's crossover status between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and to notify each other of the new involvement in the respective system or information that may aid in the identification of dually identified crossover youth; A process for identifying the least restrictive appropriate placement; A process for sharing and gathering information in accordance with applicable laws and rules; A process for the development of a single case management plan and identification of the lead agency for case management purposes; A process that facilitates the sharing of assessments and case planning information; A process for a multi-disciplinary group of professionals to consider decisions that include: Youth and community safety, placement, provision of needed services, alternatives to detention and commitment, probation, parole, permanency, education stability, and case closure; and A requirement that dually identified crossover youth placed in a secure detention facility who are deemed eligible for release by the court be placed in the least restrictive setting whenever possible to reduce the disparity between dually identified crossover youth and nondually identified crossover youth in secure detention. The bill allows marijuana tax cash fund money to be used for the development of local dually identified crossover youth plans and services. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under Colorado criminal law there is a rape shield law that presumes that evidence of a victim's sexual conduct is irrelevant and not admissible except for: Evidence of the victim's prior or subsequent sexual conduct with the defendant; or Evidence of specific instances of sexual activity showing the source or origin of semen, pregnancy, disease, or any similar evidence of sexual intercourse offered for the purpose of showing that the act or acts were or were not committed by the defendant. The bill creates a similar presumption in a civil proceeding involving alleged sexual misconduct. If a party wants to introduce sexual conduct evidence, it must file a confidential motion with the court at least 63 days prior to trial. Prior to ruling on the motion, the court shall conduct an in camera hearing and allow the parties and alleged victim to attend and be heard. All motions and all related records are kept under seal unless the court orders that the evidence is admissible. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Sunset Process - House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. The bill implements the recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies' (department) sunset review and report on requirements and procedures regarding the preparation of a cost-benefit analysis by: Continuing the requirements and procedures indefinitely ( recommendation 1 , sections 1 and 2 of the bill); Requiring state rule-making agencies to include on their applicable websites information about the cost-benefit analysis process and a link to the online regulatory notice enrollment form created by the executive director of the department or the executive director's designee ( recommendation 2 , section 2).(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE program) provides comprehensive medical and social services to certain individuals 55 years of age and older with the goal of helping those individuals live and stay in their homes. The Colorado benefits management system (CBMS) is the computer system that determines an applicant's eligibility for public assistance in the state of Colorado, including the PACE program. The bill provides read-only access to information in the CBMS related to medicaid eligibility for PACE providers.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
Under current law, members of the restorative justice coordinating council may not be reimbursed for expenses. The bill allows reimbursement of expenses. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill extends the motor vehicle emissions inspection cycle for 1982 and newer model motor vehicles from every 2 years to every 4 years and specifies that a motor vehicle does not fail an emissions inspection solely because a check-engine light is illuminated on the motor vehicle's dashboard. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
At the sentencing hearing for a defendant convicted of a crime in which an element of the crime is an act of sexual intrusion or sexual penetration, the court shall make specific findings of fact regarding the act. If the court finds that an act of sexual intrusion or sexual penetration occurred, the court shall enter a finding of rape and shall state the finding on the record.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
The bill enacts the 'Genetic Counselor Licensure Act'. On and after June 1, 2019, a person cannot practice genetic counseling without being licensed by the director of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies. To be licensed, a person must have graduated with an appropriate genetic counseling degree and have been certified by a national body, except that the director may issue a provisional license to a candidate for certification pursuant to requirements established by rule. The bill gives title protection to genetic counselors and standard licensing, rule-making, and disciplinary powers to the director. Genetic counselors must have insurance unless the director, by rule, finds that insurance is not reasonably available. The bill repeals the act on September 1, 2025. Genetic counselors are subject to the mandatory disclosures of the 'Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act of 2010'. $22,677 is appropriated to the department of regulatory agencies from the division of professions and occupations cash fund to implement the act. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill enacts the 'Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Transparency Act'. Federal bankruptcy law provides companies with asbestos liabilities the ability to channel their future liabilities into trusts. Plaintiffs harmed from asbestos exposure may file claims with the trusts and file lawsuits against companies that are still solvent. The bill addresses the disconnect between these separate compensation systems. The bill sets forth requirements for the filing of asbestos trust claims and provides for their admissibility so that juries are informed about all of a plaintiff's exposure to asbestos and can properly determine fault. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More
