SB 24-029

Senate Bill 24-029 in Colorado establishes a working group to study new ways of measuring the success of the criminal justice system beyond just looking at whether people re-offend. This includes examining how well the system helps individuals find jobs, secure housing, and improve their mental health and overall wellbeing. The bill affects various state departments and community organizations involved in criminal justice reform. It was signed into law on March 6, 2024, and requires the working group to submit a report with their findings and recommendations by July 1, 2025.

Official Summary

The act creates the alternative metrics to measure criminal justice system performance working group (working group). The working group consists of: Representatives from the division of youth services in the department of human services, the department of corrections, the judicial department, and the department of public safety; and 2 members from an institution of higher education with expertise in the criminal legal system and two members from a community-based organization that works for criminal legal reform. The working group shall consult with stakeholders either identified by the working group or who request to participate. The act requires the working group to study metrics and methods, other than measuring recidivism, to: Supplement the current measure of recidivism; Measure risk-reduction outcomes; Comprehensively measure successful outcomes that consider various aspects of life, including employment, housing, education, mental health, personal well-being, social supports, and civic and community engagement; and More effectively measure criminal justice system performance. The working group is required to submit a report to the house of representatives public and behavioral health and human services committee and judiciary committee and the senate health and human services committee and judiciary committee on or before July 1, 2025. The report must include a summary of the working group's work and any recommendations of the working group. APPROVED by Governor March 6, 2024 EFFECTIVE March 6, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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