CO SB178

Establishes a definition of "drug-endangered child" in Colorado criminal law, created by the state substance abuse trend and response task force, for child abuse and neglect cases.

Makes it a crime for a person to create a situation or unreasonably permit a child to be placed in a drug-endangered situation, including manufacturing controlled substances in a child's presence and allowing children in locations where unlawful drug distribution or use occurs that poses a threat to the child's life or health.

Creates Class 1 misdemeanor charges for drug-endangerment violations (elevated to Class 5 felony if committed by someone with a prior conviction), and Class 2 misdemeanor charges for cultivation, production, possession, or use violations (elevated to Class 5 felony for repeat offenders).

Requires the Judicial Department to report by December 1, 2016, on the bill's effects and outcomes, including additional criminal charges brought between August 1, 2014, and August 1, 2016, with this reporting requirement repealed effective July 1, 2017.

Exempts lawful drug use, possession, cultivation, distribution, or manufacture permitted under Colorado law that does not pose a threat of injury to a child's life or health.