CO SB188

Creates the Public Defender and Prosecutor Behavioral Health Support Program in the Department of Local Affairs to fund mental health services for public defenders, prosecutors, and their office employees.

Allocates 50% of appropriated funds to the Office of the State Public Defender and 50% to the Colorado District Attorneys' Council to award grants to district attorney offices.

Authorizes use of funds for counseling services, job-related trauma training and education programs, and peer support programs for criminal justice advocates.

Appropriates $500,000 to the Public Defender and Prosecutor Behavioral Health Support Fund for fiscal year 2022-23, with the appropriation sunset effective July 1, 2023.

Establishes peer support privilege protections by prohibiting district attorney and public defender peer support team members from testifying about communications made during peer support services without consent, mirroring existing protections for law enforcement and firefighter peer support.