Feb 18, 2022
HB22-1061, "Modifications to Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity," was heard Wednesday, Feb. 16 in the House Judiciary committee. DLC staff attorney Meghan Baker testified in support of the bill, as did several current and former patients from the state hospital (CMHIP). The stories of people with lived experience greatly impacted the committee members. The bill passed out of the committee, and it is now headed to Appropriations. DLC will continue to engage with the Department of Human Services and legislative staff regarding the bill’s fiscal note. Also present at the hearing was a member of the media, a family member of a patient, a psychologist who works with these patients, and many more. If passed, this bill will add accountability and transparency to the process of treatment people found not guilty by reason of insanity by making inpatient commitment discretionary instead of mandatory, specifying content for release evaluations that includes information about services available in the community, and requiring annual court reviews for all inpatient acquittees. #DisabilityRights #LivedExperience #Accountability #Transparency #COLegislature
