HB 25-1183

House Bill 25-1183, titled "Colorimetric Field Drug Test Working Group," establishes a task force in Colorado to study and make recommendations about the use of colorimetric drug tests during criminal proceedings and in correctional settings. The bill aims to identify any potential harms caused by these tests and suggest ways to reduce them. It requires the group to submit a report with their findings and suggestions to lawmakers by December 1, 2025. However, the task force can only operate if a nonprofit organization is hired through a competitive bidding process before June 13, 2025, and funding from general state funds cannot be used for this purpose. The bill has been signed into law but needs to go through several steps before the working group can start its work. This means that while the framework is in place, actual activities won't begin until a suitable nonprofit organization is selected and agrees to take on the role of managing the task force's operations.

Official Summary

The act creates a working group to make findings and recommendations concerning the use of colorimetric field drug tests in the various stages of criminal proceedings and carceral settings. The act specifies the working group's membership and appointing authority, as applicable. The working group is required to: Make findings concerning the prevalence of the administration of colorimetric field drug tests in Colorado and the potential harms that result from such administration; Make findings and recommendations for legislation or policy solutions to eliminate harms from the use of colorimetric field drug tests, administering the tests for presumptive purposes only, and how to prevent future harms resulting from administering such tests; and On or before December 1, 2025, submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the judiciary committees of the house of representatives and the senate. On or before June 13, 2025, the director of the legislative council shall use a request for proposal process to contract with and designate a nonprofit organization to provide staffing and facilitate the performance of the working group's duties, subject to the approval of the chair of the executive committee of the legislative council. The operation of the working group is contingent on awarding a contract and designating a nonprofit organization. If a contract is not awarded, then the working group does not operate. The act prohibits the use of the general fund money to contract with a nonprofit to facilitate the working group. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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