SB 21-066: Juvenile Diversion Programs

• Establishes the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety as the primary administrator of Colorado's juvenile diversion program, with oversight responsibility shared across state agencies including the Department of Human Services and State Judicial Department.

• Requires district attorneys to conduct risk screening on all juveniles referred starting January 1, 2021, using results to inform diversion eligibility, supervision intensity and length, and services offered, with exemptions for juveniles currently committed or on parole or charged with Class 1 or Class 2 felonies.

• Prohibits denial of diversion based on ability to pay, prior child welfare involvement, age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or legal representation status.

• Mandates comprehensive data collection and annual reporting to the Division of Criminal Justice including demographics, risk screening results, offense type, diversion status, service participation, program completion, and restorative justice referrals.

• Prioritizes funding for programs incorporating restorative justice practices and requires the Division of Criminal Justice to review its allocation formula every three years and approve any validated assessment tools used for diversion programming.