HB 17-1329

HB 17-1329 is a Colorado bill that changes the name of the Division of Youth Corrections to the Division of Youth Services and introduces several reforms aimed at improving conditions for young people in state care. It sets up a pilot program to create cultural change within the division, involving independent third-party evaluations and community oversight through regional boards. The bill also requires more detailed reporting on youth outcomes, including educational achievements and recidivism rates, and mandates audits by the state auditor to ensure accuracy. Signed into law, this means that these changes are now in effect and aim to enhance transparency and improve services for young people under the division's care.

Official Summary

The bill renames the division of youth corrections the 'division of youth services' (division) and makes conforming amendments. The bill sets forth the purposes of the renamed division. The bill creates and requires the division to implement a pilot program to initiate a cultural change within the division. The bill creates a cash fund and authorizes the division to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations for the pilot program. The bill requires the department to contract with an independent third party to facilitate, supervise, coach, and train staff and leadership of the division throughout the pilot program. The bill requires the division to contract with a second independent third party to evaluate the effectiveness and outcome of the pilot program. The bill creates community boards in each region of the division, requires a management-level employee from each division facility to attend community board meetings, and requires a representative of the division to report to each community board quarterly. Current law requires the state department of human services (department) to report annually to the general assembly data concerning recidivism rates of youths committed to the custody of the department. The bill requires the department to report data concerning educational outcomes as well as recidivism rates, and the bill requires the state auditor to audit these reports for accuracy and quality. The bill renames the 'youth seclusion working group' the 'youth restraint and seclusion working group', adds a member to the working group, expands the role of the working group to include advising on the use of restraints, requires the division to report to the working group concerning its use of restraints and seclusion, and requires the division to include in its reports an incident report or behavior management plan for any youth whom the division isolates from his or her peers for more than 8 hours in 2 consecutive calendar days. The bill requires the division to document and report certain items relating to the use of restraint as well as the use of seclusion. The bill requires the division to contract with a third independent third party to conduct a performance assessment of the division's de-escalation, physical management, and safety policies and practices, as well as its provision of trauma-responsive care. The bill makes an appropriation. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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