Senate Bill 16-116 Summary

• Creates a simplified process for sealing criminal justice records for dismissed cases, acquittals, completed diversion agreements, and deferred judgments under Colorado law.

• Allows defendants to move immediately to seal records through informal motion in open court at dismissal or acquittal, or through written motion filed later, without requiring a separate civil action.

• Establishes a $65 processing fee to cover costs of sealing records, with fees transmitted to the state treasurer and credited to the Judicial Stabilization Cash Fund.

• Appropriates $178,173 to the judicial department for 2016-17, including $159,361 for trial court programs (3.5 FTE) and $18,812 for courthouse capital and infrastructure maintenance.

• Takes effect August 10, 2016, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case approval by voters at the November 2016 general election is required.