Colorado § 16-8.6-104 - Memorandum of understanding.

§ 16-8.6-104. Memorandum of understanding.

(1) (a) The chief judge of each judicial district shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the district attorney's office, the public defender's office, bridges of Colorado, the department of human services, the behavioral health administration in the department of human services, community-based treatment providers, and local behavioral health case management programs within the judicial district to develop and implement a referral process to deflect individuals who are likely to be found incompetent to proceed from competency proceedings and the criminal justice system. The memorandum of understanding must ensure the parties develop an operational vision for the referral process and how the referral process will best operate within the judicial district. Additional individuals or entities may be included in the development and implementation of the memorandum of understanding with the agreement of the parties to the memorandum of understanding described in this subsection (1)(a).

(b) The office of the state court administrator shall coordinate the creation of the memorandum of understanding for each judicial district and any revisions, as needed.

(c) The parties to the memorandum of understanding shall collaborate with community groups advocating for individuals with mental health disorders in the development and operation of the referral process, whenever possible.

(2) At a minimum, the memorandum of understanding must:

(a) Describe the operational vision of the referral process;

(b) Ensure the dedication of resources for individuals referred to the bridges wraparound care program;

(c) Define the process of referral to the bridges wraparound care program;

(d) Define procedures that best ensure the efficiency and fairness of the referral process in the judicial district;

(e) Require service providers who are a party to the memorandum of understanding and who provide the services described in section 16-8.6-109 (4) to participate in the bridges wraparound care process, regularly meet and communicate with the bridges wraparound care coordinator, and provide services, as necessary, to support each individual participating in the bridges wraparound care program;

(f) Define the process and timeline for bridges of Colorado to report to the district attorney and the court regarding an individual's noncompliance with the bridges wraparound care program; and

(g) Address compliance with the data-gathering requirements pursuant to section 16-8.6-105 (2).

Source: L. 2024: Entire article added, (HB 24-1355), ch. 471, p. 3297, § 1, effective August 7.