One of the biggest mental health issues the Colorado General Assembly will address this session is the placement of individuals on involuntary mental health holds in jails. Currently, law enforcement can put a person having a mental health crisis in jail, without charges, if they are a danger to themselves or others. Colorado is one of only six states where this practice is still legal.
Senate Bill 207 would stop this practice and improve the system of care to help people in crisis. A hearing was held on the bill two weeks ago. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Kagan (D-Denver) and Sen. John Cooke (R-Greeley), passed unanimously in the Senate Judiciary committee with a 5-0 vote.
The committee listened to dozens of stories from people with mental illness, law enforcement officers, psychiatrists and organizations involved in crafting this bill. All were in agreement that this practice must end.
Jennifer Hill, a mental health advocate from Denver, was jailed during a time of crisis but she’s now in recovery. “It’s ineffective and it’s traumatizing,“ said Hill. “As you consider this bill, think about your neighbors and family. You wouldn’t want anyone treated this way.”
Delta County Sheriff, Frederick McKee, says this issue strains resources in rural areas. Even if services are available it can take three hours or more to transport a person in crisis to get help. “Sheriffs never have believed that people in crisis should be in jail, but sometimes there is no alternative,” said McKee.
The Joint Budget Committee has set aside 7 million dollars to help get the crisis system in place to replace jail use. “Increasing walk-in centers and crisis stabilizations units will help Delta County and many others to take this next step.”
The bill now moves on to the Appropriations Committee. If it passes, it will go to the full Senate for a vote.
If you support stopping the use of jails as a place to house people in a mental health crisis, contact your state legislator and urge them to support this bill. You can find and email your legislator at mentalhealthcolorado.org/takeaction.
Jen Marnowski
Denver
Editor’s note: Jen Marnowski is Communications Director for Mental Health Colorado. Reach her at jmarnowski@mentalhealthcolorado.org.