CO HB1037

Inmates sentenced for nonviolent felonies who complete accredited higher education programs receive earned time deductions: 2 years for doctoral degrees, 18 months for master's degrees, 1 year for associate or bachelor's degrees, and 6 months for certificates requiring at least 30 credit hours.

The Department of Corrections must designate up to 6 regionally accredited institutions of higher education by September 30, 2023, that can award degrees or credentials eligible for earned time reductions, and must make this list publicly available to inmates.

The department cannot award earned time under existing subsection (9) for the same degrees, certificates, or credentials that qualify for earned time under this new subsection (3.7) to prevent double-counting.

Beginning in fiscal year 2024-25, the General Assembly shall annually appropriate savings from earned time deductions to the Department of Higher Education for allocation to institutions offering accredited programs in correctional facilities.

The act takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the legislature, or upon voter approval in the November 2024 general election if a referendum petition is filed, and applies to degrees and credentials awarded on or after the effective date.