SB 25-042: Behavioral Health Crisis Response Recommendations

Official summary

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

No later than June 30, 2026, the act requires the department of public safety (DPS), in collaboration with the behavioral health administration (BHA), to consult with stakeholders to identify: Existing resources and model programs that communities throughout Colorado utilize when responding to behavioral health crises, including, but not limited to, co-responder programs, alternative response programs, and mobile crisis response programs, and the reimbursement shortages and gaps within the continuum of care for behavioral health crisis response; and The reimbursement shortages and gaps within the continuum of care for behavioral health crisis response, and reimbursement and funding options that are available at the state and federal levels to address the shortages and gaps, including funding for treatment in place. The act requires DPS to compile a list of the existing resources and model programs, and report reimbursement shortages and gaps identified by the stakeholder group and develop recommendations for addressing the shortages and gaps. The act requires DPS to make the resources, model programs, and recommendations publicly available on DPS's website. On or before January 1, 2027, the act requires the BHA, in collaboration with the department of health care policy and financing (HCPF), to provide information to the general assembly regarding the reimbursement shortages and gaps within the continuum of care for behavioral health crisis response and the reimbursement and funding options at the state and federal level that are available to address the shortages and gaps, including funding for treatment in place. The act requires HCPF to reimburse an institution for mental diseases for providing inpatient mental health treatment to a member for up to 60 days or to the extent permitted by federal law. Current law requires each person detained for an emergency mental health hold to receive an evaluation as soon as possible after the person is presented to a facility, and the evaluation may, but is not required to, include an assessment to determine if the person continues to meet the criteria for an emergency mental health hold and requires further mental health care in a facility designated by the commissioner. The act requires the evaluation to include the assessment determination. The act requires a hospital that is subject to the federal "Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act" to only discharge a person placed on an emergency mental health hold if the person no longer meets the criteria for an emergency mental health hold; except that a hospital may transfer the person to another hospital if the hospital is unable to provide the appropriate medical or behavioral health care to the person and the receiving hospital agrees to the transfer. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 26 · Republican 1

“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. March 26, 2025Governor Signed
2. March 20, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
3. March 20, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
4. March 20, 2025Sent to the Governor
5. March 17, 2025Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. March 13, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. March 12, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
8. March 11, 2025House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
9. February 18, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
10. February 18, 2025Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
11. February 14, 2025Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
12. February 14, 2025Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

Showing 12 most recent of 14 actions. Full history