HB12-1232: Health Care Costs For Persons In Custody

• Expands liability for medical care payment to include persons in municipal jails and those in custody of county or municipal law enforcement agencies, not just county jails.

• Persons in custody remain primarily responsible for payment of medical care costs related to self-inflicted injuries or preexisting medical conditions that existed before arrest.

• "Preexisting condition" is defined as an illness beginning or injury sustained before a person is in the peaceable custody of the county or municipality's officers.

• Counties and municipalities may seek payment or reimbursement for medical treatment costs from persons in custody, except for care required by the jail, care paid by other entities, or care provided by the Colorado mental health institute at Pueblo.

• Act takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 8, 2012) unless subject to referendum petition, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2012 general election.