HB 22-1224 Summary

• Adds a new theft provision to Colorado law that makes it a crime to intentionally misrepresent or withhold material facts to determine eligibility for public benefits with the purpose of obtaining or retaining benefits for which the person is not eligible.

• Specifies that conduct limited solely to this new public benefits theft element is not subject to prosecution under any other provision of the theft statute.

• Takes effect July 1, 2022, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

• Declared necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety under the safety clause.