CO SB180

Department of Corrections must establish a dyslexia screening program for all sentenced offenders using intake questionnaires, state-approved literacy tests, and quantitative assessment tools administered by trained educators, beginning January 1, 2021.

Correctional education programs must provide evidence-based structured reading instruction to offenders with dyslexia that includes phonology, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax, and semantics, meeting Colorado READ Act standards.

Department of Corrections and Department of Human Services must each hire a literacy consultant approved by the Department of Education to implement dyslexia screening and educational programs for offenders and juveniles.

Department of Human Services must screen juveniles in detention facilities for dyslexia upon entrance and provide evidence-based reading instruction to committed juveniles who may have dyslexia, with educator training requirements matching those for adult corrections staff.

Both departments must report annually to judiciary committees on screening numbers, offenders identified, curriculum used, instruction minutes, literacy progress, educator training provided, and consultant services costs, with initial reporting due December 1, 2021.