House Bill 24-1054, enacted during Colorado’s 2024 legislative session, focuses on implementing standardized regulations across county jails to enhance conditions and ensure uniformity statewide. Below is an overview of the bill’s key components:
Extension of the Jail Standards Oversight Committee
The bill extends the lifespan of the Jail Standards Oversight Committee until September 1, 2033. This committee is responsible for developing and updating jail standards in Colorado. Previously, the committee was set to repeal on July 1, 2024.
Mandatory Compliance with Jail Standards
Effective July 1, 2026, all county jails in Colorado are required to comply with the standards established by the Oversight Committee. These standards will be accessible on the committee’s website. Any revisions to the standards must be implemented by jails within one year of adoption, unless the committee specifies an earlier date.
Establishment of the Jail Standards Advisory Committee
The bill establishes a Jail Standards Advisory Committee to assist in the assessment and compliance processes. The committee comprises:
- Two sheriffs appointed by a statewide organization representing Colorado’s county sheriffs.
- Two county commissioners appointed by Colorado Counties, Incorporated.
- The state public defender or their designee.
- One physical or behavioral health professional with jail experience, appointed by the Oversight Committee.
- One representative from a statewide organization advocating for incarcerated individuals, appointed by the Oversight Committee.
The Advisory Committee is tasked with:
- Utilizing peer assessors to evaluate jails’ physical facilities and policies for compliance.
- Recommending revisions to jail standards.
- Suggesting solutions to help jails meet compliance requirements.
- Establishing a process to grant variances from the jail standards to local jails.
Role of the Attorney General
The Attorney General, in collaboration with the Advisory Committee, is responsible for conducting jail assessments to ensure compliance with established standards. Additionally, the Attorney General may perform independent special assessments upon request from the Governor, the Oversight Committee, or a sheriff, with reports prepared for each special assessment.
Funding Provisions
To support these initiatives, the bill creates the Jail Standards Advisory Committee Cash Fund. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, appropriations include:
- $305,000 from the General Fund to the Jail Standards Advisory Committee Cash Fund.
- $41,248 from the General Fund to the Legislative Department.
- $12,532 from the General Fund to the Department of Law.
Confidentiality of Assessment Reports
Assessment reports generated by the Attorney General are not subject to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). However, the Attorney General may release a report at their discretion, and a county sheriff may do so with the Attorney General’s consent.
House Bill 24-1054 represents a significant step toward standardizing jail operations across Colorado, aiming to improve conditions and ensure consistency in the treatment of incarcerated individuals statewide.