SB 17-264 Summary

• Modifies marijuana tax cash fund distributions to allow appropriations for jail-based and behavioral health services for persons "involved in OR DIVERTED FROM" the criminal justice system, expanding eligibility beyond those currently involved in the system.

• Changes terminology from "mental health problems" to "BEHAVIORAL OR mental health DISORDERS" throughout the offender mental health services fund statute to broaden the scope of covered conditions.

• Transfers authority for distributing offender mental health services fund from "unit" to "OFFICE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH" for community mental health center distributions.

• Repeals subsection (4) of section 27-66-104 effective September 1, 2017, eliminating the offender mental health services fund and transferring any remaining funds to the tobacco litigation settlement cash fund.

• Includes a safety clause declaring the act necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety.