Colorado § 17-26-304 - Screening in jails.

§ 17-26-304. Screening in jails.

(1) A local jail shall use an adequate screening tool to complete a health screening of each individual upon arrival at the facility by health-trained or qualified health-care personnel as part of the admission procedures. If a local jail is unable to perform a health screening on an individual due to intoxication or another reason that makes the person temporarily incapacitated, the jail shall document the reason for the delay in the health screening and shall complete the health screening no later than twenty-four hours after an individual's arrival at the facility. A local jail is not required to complete a health screening if prohibited by a court order. The screening includes at least the following:

(a) Inquiry into:

(I) Current and past illnesses, health conditions, or special health requirements;

(II) History of suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior attempts; past or current serious mental illness, including hospitalizations; and history of special education;

(III) All legal and illegal drug use, including any current withdrawal symptoms;

(IV) Current or recent pregnancy;

(V) Serious neurocognitive issues such as past traumatic brain injuries or dementia; and

(VI) Present or past prescribed medications; and

(b) Observation of:

(I) General appearance and behavior, including state of consciousness, mental status, appearance, and conduct;

(II) Physical condition, including ease of movement;

(III) Evidence of abuse or trauma and the condition of the individual's skin, including bruises and lesions; and

(IV) Behavior, tremors, and sweating.

(2) An individual must not be placed in restrictive housing until the health screening required by subsection (1) of this section is complete and has been documented.

(3) If local jail personnel who are health-trained perform the screening, the personnel shall call a medical or mental health professional if indications of a positive screen are identified during the screening.

Source: L. 2021: Entire part added, (HB 21-1211), ch. 322, p. 1980, § 1, effective July 1, 2023.

Editor's note: The effective date of this part 3 as added by HB 21-1211 was changed from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, by HB 22-1063. (See L. 2022, ch. 395, p. 2813.)

17-26.5 ARTICLE 26.5

Multijurisdictional Jails

17-26.5-101. Multijurisdictional jails - authorized.

17-26.5-102. Contracts for multijurisdictional jails - requirements.