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House approves narrow bill allowing secure perimeter for one state psychiatric residential treatment facility
Summary
Lawmakers passed a measure that permits a state-owned psychiatric residential treatment facility under construction to use a secure perimeter fence, sponsors said the bill is narrowly tailored to protect youth receiving high-acuity care.
The House adopted House Bill 11 72 on Feb. 27, 2025 to allow a single state-owned psychiatric residential treatment facility to use a secure perimeter fence, sponsors said on the floor.
Representative Espinosa, a co-prime sponsor, said the bill is "narrowly tailored to 1 facility at this time being built in... Fort Logan" and is intended to keep children receiving acute psychiatric treatment safe from elopement while ensuring they are not treated as if they are in a detention facility. "We are specifically redefining and include ensuring that they are not going to be treated as if they are criminals because they need psychiatric help," Espinosa said.
Representative Camacho, the other co-prime, said the new state facility will provide 16 psychiatric care beds for youth who otherwise must travel out of state for high-level care. He said the measure will help keep patients close to family while ensuring safety on campus.
Representative De Graaf asked whether existing law prevented construction of fences; sponsors replied that current state statute does not allow securing the perimeter of these facilities and that the bill clarifies permissible security without creating a detention environment.
Action and outcome
The House adopted the bill on the floor. The presiding officer announced, "The ayes have it. House Bill 25 11 72 is adopted." The transcript did not include a recorded machine vote tally for final passage in the excerpt provided.
Why it matters
Supporters said the measure will allow a new state facility to provide 16 high-acuity psychiatric beds for youth and keep them near family and clinical resources while safeguarding against elopement. Sponsors emphasized the bill's narrow scope and its intent not to criminalize youth receiving treatment.
