HB23-1258 Summary

• Creates a nine-member task force to study state and local government costs associated with drug law enforcement, investigation, punishment, and rehabilitation of drug crime convictions.

• Task force members must be appointed by January 15, 2024, and include legislators, law enforcement representatives, public health experts, district attorneys, housing experts, and nonprofit organization representatives.

• Requires the Colorado School of Public Health to conduct an actuarial cost study by September 1, 2023, evaluating costs of drug law enforcement and incarceration, with findings delivered to the task force by February 15, 2024.

• Task force must submit final report with findings and recommendations to judiciary committees of both houses by June 1, 2024, regarding how money saved from reduced drug crimes could be spent on substance use reduction programs.

• Appropriates $79,914 to the University of Colorado regents for the actuarial study, $16,138 to the Department of Public Health and Environment for administration, and $1,324 to the legislature for per diem and expenses; both the task force and study provisions expire January 1, 2025.