SB 18-263

Senate Bill 18-263 establishes a pilot program that allows licensed psychiatrists to ask courts for permission to give medications to people in jail who have mental health issues but are refusing treatment. This can happen if the jail meets certain criteria and has agreements with designated facilities. The program is limited to up to five jails and will be monitored by Colorado’s Office of Behavioral Health. It aims to ensure safety and effectiveness, and it requires a report by December 31, 2021. Since the bill has been signed into law, this pilot program can now proceed as planned in participating jails.

Official Summary

The bill creates a pilot program in the department of human services (department) to determine and, if appropriate, establish the safety and effectiveness of allowing a licensed psychiatrist to petition the court for authority to administer medications in a jail over the objection of a respondent. The advisory board to the department (advisory board) shall approve any applying jail for participation in the pilot program if it has established a contract with a facility designated by the department and also meets the minimum criteria established in the bill. Prior to approving a jail to participate in the pilot program, the advisory board shall seek input from a membership association that represents defense attorneys with experience working with respondents with mental health issues. The advisory board shall only authorize a maximum of 5 jails to participate in the pilot program. The pilot program will be monitored by the office of behavioral health. The office of behavioral health and the sheriff or appropriate law enforcement for a jail applying to participate in the pilot program shall collaboratively develop requirements for a participating jail. Requirements for information and affirmations are to be included in the petition to the court. The department is required to report on the pilot program on or before December 31, 2021. The pilot program is repealed, effective September 1, 2022. Language is clarified concerning hearings and jurisdiction in cases brought to the court for mental health proceedings, including involuntary administration of medications and certifications. If such a case is presented to a jury, the jury shall only hear evidence on the issue of whether the person has a mental health disorder and, as a result of such mental health disorder, is a danger to others or to himself or herself or is gravely disabled. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More

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