CO SB043

Expands allowable restitution expenses to include long-term medical expenses, insurance deductibles, property damage/loss, travel expenses to court hearings (over 100 miles one way or requiring overnight stay), child care costs, and lost wages for critical case stages.

Authorizes Department of Corrections to intercept government windfall payments (including economic stimulus checks) received by inmates and redirect funds to satisfy restitution obligations to victims before dispersing remaining amounts to inmates.

Creates Office of Restitution Services within the Judicial Department to assist victims by providing semiannual statements of restitution payments received, answering questions about court-ordered restitution, and maintaining educational resources on the restitution system.

Appropriates $129,359 to the Judicial Department for fiscal year 2022-23, including $116,319 for the Office of Restitution Services (1.6 FTE) and $13,040 for capital outlay.

Prohibits courts from imposing restitution for pecuniary losses related exclusively to dismissed charges unless the defendant and prosecution agree at the time of plea entry.