Bill > HB1276

This bill aims to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals who are immigrants in Colorado by implementing several key provisions. It exempts users of Colorado courts' e-filing system from a specific certification requirement related to accessing state agency records. The bill also grants county or district public health agencies the discretion to inspect or examine facilities that house or detain noncitizens for civil immigration proceedings, with these inspections to be conducted at least annually and more frequently if unannounced, and the facilities will be responsible for the costs. These inspections will cover food safety, drinking water quality, confinement conditions, and standards of care, and facilities must provide full access to inspectors, including to detained individuals and records; refusal to allow an inspection can result in a civil penalty of up to $50,000, with collected penalties going to the Immigration Legal Defense Fund. Furthermore, facilities will be required to provide annual reports on outcomes for pregnant individuals, those with chronic health conditions or disabilities, access to food for those with dietary restrictions, temperature within the facility, and individuals' access to attorneys and spaces for religious or silent reflection, and must prohibit minors from being housed with non-familial adults, while also ensuring staff includes accessible medical and mental health professionals. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce these provisions and seek civil penalties, and the Department of Public Health and Environment will submit an annual report on facility compliance to the Attorney General and make it publicly available. The bill also mandates the Attorney General's office to develop a model policy for entities subject to specific privacy laws by September 1, 2026, and requires the POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) board to establish training standards for peace officers regarding compliance with certain laws by July 1, 2026, with this provision set to be repealed on July 1, 2028. Finally, an appropriation of $107,283 is made to the Department of Public Health and Environment for environmental health programs related to these inspections, funded by the Immigration Facility Inspection and Detention Cash Fund.