CO HB1112

Creates a pilot program in the Department of Human Services to train up to 10 eligible veterans to foster, train, and utilize dogs as their own service or companion animals.

Eligible veterans must have served in active military, naval, air, coast guard, or national guard service with an honorable or better discharge and received a referral from a qualified mental health professional.

Department shall use competitive request for proposals to select two in-state nonprofit agencies representing different counties to implement the program by November 1, 2016.

Selected nonprofits must be Colorado-based, serve veteran populations, partner with qualified canine trainers, and offer veteran support services with licensed mental health professionals.

Appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2016-17 to establish the program fund, which sunsets on September 1, 2026; department administrative costs capped at 3 percent of annual appropriations.