CO HB1026

Prohibits the Colorado Department of Corrections from charging inmates copayments for medical, dental, mental health, or optometric services, including specialty and emergency care

Eliminates fees for inmates who miss scheduled appointments, fail to provide timely cancellation notice, or refuse medical appointments

Repeals the existing statute (17-1-113) that authorized inmate medical copayments and related charges

Requires the Department to report in January 2026 on missed appointments and medically unwarranted service requests as part of its SMART Act hearing

Adjusts appropriations for FY 2025-26: reduces cash funds from inmate medical fees by $322,861 (3.0 FTE) and appropriates $157,179 in general funds (1.5 FTE) for implementation