Bill > HB1020

This bill defines a "colorimetric field drug test" as a quick, on-site chemical screening method that uses color changes to indicate the possible presence of a controlled substance, performed by someone other than a forensic chemist outside of a laboratory. It mandates that if such a test is used and a person is suspected of a Level 1 drug misdemeanor for possession or a municipal drug possession charge, a peace officer must issue a summons instead of making an arrest, thereby preventing immediate detention for these specific offenses. Furthermore, for Level 4 drug felony possession and lower, or municipal drug possession charges where a colorimetric field drug test was used, trial judges must inform defendants before they enter a plea that these tests have known error rates and are inadmissible in court, and that defendants have the right to plead not guilty and request independent testing from an accredited forensic laboratory.

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https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1020