Colorado Modifies Defense of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Requirements for Psychiatric Reports and Release Standards

Original title: Modification to Defense of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

Last action · April 20, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Judy Amabile and 13 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Defendants pleading not guilty by reason of insanity must have their defense-ordered psychiatric evaluation reports shared with the court and the Department of Human Services. The measure authorizes community treatment placements and establishes specific legal standards for conditional and for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Criminal trial procedures and release hearings are altered for individuals evaluated for insanity, establishing distinct legal burdens of proof starting July 1, 2026.

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

Defendants evaluated for not guilty by reason of insanity

Subject to new legal standards for conditional and unconditional release, mandatory sharing of evaluation reports with state agencies, and potential community placement options.

Directly affected

Department of Human Services

Receives copies of defense-ordered examination reports from the court and manages defendants undergoing community placement or release evaluation.

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

Who receives copies of a defense-ordered examination report under the new law?

In addition to the prosecution, a copy must be furnished to the court, which upon receipt provides it to the Department of Human Services.

What is the legal standard for unconditional release for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2026?

The defendant must have no abnormal mental condition likely to cause dangerousness to self, others, or the community in the foreseeable future, must be capable of distinguishing right from wrong, and must have substantial capacity to conform their conduct to the law.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

15 actions

Apr 20, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Governor Signed
Apr 8, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Sent to the Governor
Apr 7, 2026SenateFloor
Signed by the President of the Senate
Apr 7, 2026HouseFloor
Signed by the Speaker of the House
Apr 6, 2026Senate
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
Apr 2, 2026HouseFloor
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Show 9 earlier actions

Mar 31, 2026House
House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
Mar 30, 2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
Mar 23, 2026House
House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
Mar 18, 2026HouseCommittee
House Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
Feb 11, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
Feb 10, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Feb 9, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
Feb 4, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

Version history

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