SB18-249 Summary

• Establishes up to four pre-plea mental health diversion pilot programs in selected Colorado judicial districts to redirect individuals with mental health conditions charged with low-level offenses into community treatment instead of criminal prosecution.

• Defines "low-level criminal offense" as petty offenses or misdemeanors (excluding violent crimes), and optionally includes Class 4-6 felonies and Level 3-4 drug felonies if agreed to by the district attorney.

• Requires the State Court Administrator and Colorado District Attorneys' Council to identify pilot program sites with approval from elected district attorneys and chief judges, considering geographic diversity.

• Appropriates $750,000 to the judicial department for the 2018-19 fiscal year to establish and operate the grant program, with each participating district attorney's office receiving $50,000 per year for two years to cover personnel and administrative costs.

• Section automatically repeals on December 1, 2021, making this a temporary two-year pilot program requiring evaluation before potential permanent adoption.