Bill > SB236

This bill consolidates Colorado's crisis response services by transitioning from the existing Colorado crisis services hotline to the national 988 Crisis Hotline. The bill requires student identification cards for public and private schools (both K-12 and postsecondary) to include information about the 988 Crisis Hotline instead of the previous state-specific crisis services contact information. It removes references to the legacy 24-hour telephone crisis services and replaces them with funding and routing mechanisms for the 988 Crisis Hotline. The bill also makes corresponding updates in various sections of Colorado law related to mental health services, emergency mental health holds, and recovery residences to ensure consistent references to the 988 Crisis Hotline. Financially, the bill adjusts appropriations by decreasing funding for the existing crisis response system by $4,063,938 and redirecting those funds to the 988 Crisis Hotline cash fund, with the goal of creating a more streamlined and unified crisis response system. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing time for a smooth transition between the current and new crisis hotline systems.

Budget and Finance

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-236