Judiciary committee sends $50,000 jail behavioral‑health training grant to appropriations after debate, 6‑5

The House Judiciary Committee voted 6‑5 to send House Bill 25‑1008 to the Appropriations Committee. The bill would establish a grant program administered by the Behavioral Health Administration to allow county jails to obtain funds for training and for complementary behavioral‑health services offered inside jails.

Sponsors and supporters said the measure would expand access to mental‑health care where jail populations have higher rates of untreated behavioral conditions. Representative English, co‑prime sponsor, told the committee, "access to mental health care is especially critical within our jail systems," adding that jails have become "de facto mental health facilities despite being ill equipped to provide the specialized care many individuals need." Representative Bradfield, the other co‑prime sponsor, described the bill as a grant program "that jails across the state can apply to to get additional funds for training for other forms of therapeutic approaches for prisoners who have behavioral and mental disabilities or problems."

Why it matters: Committee witnesses and sponsors said in‑jail complementary services can reduce self‑harm, improve engagement in treatment and lower recidivism when combined with clinical care. Jack Johnson, an attorney with Disability Law Colorado and…