Colorado directs 100% of behavioral health program funds to the state public defender for fiscal year 2026-27

Original title: Public Defender & Prosecutor Behavioral Health Program

Last action · May 27, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Kyle Brown and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

For state 2026-27, HB 1385 temporarily alters the funding split for the public defender and prosecutor behavioral health support program to direct all 100% of program money to the office of the state public defender, replacing the previous 50/50 split with the Colorado district attorneys' council.

Why it matters

The change temporarily redirects all state program grant funding away from local district attorneys' offices for a single , consolidating the entirety of the behavioral health support allocation within the public defender's office.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

office of the state public defender

Receives 100% of the program's allocated funds for state fiscal year 2026-27 instead of the previous 50% share.

Directly affected

Colorado district attorneys' council

Receives 0% of the program allocation for state fiscal year 2026-27, suspending its usual 50% share used to award grants to district attorneys' offices.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the behavioral health support program funded?

The program is funded through any appropriations made for the program, alongside any gifts, grants, and donations received.

What changes for state fiscal year 2026-27?

The funding allocation split is altered to direct 100% of program money to the office of the state public defender, replacing the usual 50/50 split.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions

May 27, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Governor Signed
May 22, 2026HouseFloor
Signed by the Speaker of the House
May 22, 2026SenateFloor
Signed by the President of the Senate
May 22, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Sent to the Governor
Apr 16, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Apr 15, 2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

Show 8 earlier actions

Apr 14, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
Apr 13, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations
Apr 11, 2026HouseFloor
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Apr 10, 2026House
House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
Apr 9, 2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
Apr 8, 2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
Apr 6, 2026HouseCommittee
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
Apr 2, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

Version history

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