HB 25-1116: Department of Corrections Search Court Records Before Offender Release

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act requires the department of corrections (department) to search all information available to the department to determine whether an offender held at a correctional facility is subject to an outstanding warrant or if the offender has a pending case in a Colorado court. The department is required to conduct the search when the department conducts the initial comprehensive evaluation of the offender's sentence and 3 to 8 months prior to the offender's community correction eligibility date. The act requires the department to establish guidelines and policies that address requests for additional searches as may be needed by the public defender liaison to the department. If the department determines that an offender is subject to a warrant or has a pending case in a Colorado court, the department shall notify the offender, the public defender liaison to the department, and the court that issued the warrant or in which the case is pending, as applicable. The general assembly encourages a court to ensure the offender appears before the court, is assigned counsel if the defendant is eligible for court-appointed counsel, allows the offender to resolve the warrant in a timely manner, and facilitates virtual appearance for the offender. The act does not prohibit the department from searching for outstanding warrants at any other time. The act requires the office of state public defender to designate an email address for the public defender liaisons to the department of corrections to receive notifications from the department. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 18 · Republican 8

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 30, 2025Governor Signed
2. April 24, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
3. April 24, 2025Sent to the Governor
4. April 23, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
5. April 10, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
6. April 9, 2025Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. April 7, 2025Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
8. March 13, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
9. March 5, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
10. March 4, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
11. March 3, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
12. February 28, 2025House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

Showing 12 most recent of 14 actions. Full history