summary
Introduced
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill allows defendant veterans to request an eligibility assessment to determine if they are eligible for veteran deferred sentencing. The bill states the offenses eligible and the requirements that must be met by veteran defendants to qualify for veteran deferred sentencing. The bill establishes what a court must include in a veteran defendant's deferred sentence and establishes what a veteran defendant must do to complete their deferred sentence and when they are eligible for discharge from probation and for dismissal of their charges. The bill requires courts to consider veteran status, when disclosed, when considering the sentence of a veteran defendant. The bill requires law enforcement, courts, and corrections personnel to receive training regarding justice-involved veterans. The bill requires courts to track and report the number of veteran defendants receiving, completing, declining, and denied veteran-deferred sentences. The bill requires the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety to develop a plan to track and evaluate outcomes of veteran defendants who receive veteran-deferred sentences. The bill requires the department of corrections (department) to create a veteran identification process that must be implemented in all offender diagnostic centers that allows the department to record which offenders are veterans. The bill requires that veteran offenders be considered, when appropriate, for correctional facility veteran housing units and veteran services and have their veteran status be considered in structuring their rehabilitation program.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a statewide program for justice-involved veterans, aiming to address issues stemming from their military service, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, and substance use disorder, which can contribute to involvement with the criminal justice system. It allows eligible veteran defendants to request an "eligibility assessment" to determine if they qualify for "veteran deferred sentencing," a program where criminal proceedings are paused while the veteran undergoes treatment and rehabilitation. To be eligible, the offense must not be a "crime of violence," and the veteran must demonstrate that their condition is service-related and led to the offense. If found eligible, the court will defer further proceedings and place the veteran on probation with conditions including mental health assessments and a case plan developed with input from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Upon successful completion of probation and treatment, the veteran can be discharged and their charges dismissed. The bill also mandates training for law enforcement, courts, and corrections personnel on issues affecting justice-involved veterans, requires courts to track data on veteran deferred sentences, and directs the division of criminal justice to evaluate the outcomes of these programs. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Corrections to implement a veteran identification process in all offender diagnostic centers to identify veterans and consider them for veteran housing units and services, with their veteran status being a factor in structuring rehabilitation programs. Finally, the bill mandates that courts consider a veteran's status as a mitigating factor during sentencing, acknowledging their service, overseas deployments, and combat exposure.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-096 |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/111834/download |
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