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HB 25-1214

Appropriate Use of Prison Beds

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chad Clifford and 1 co-sponsor

Sets standards for use of prison beds, prioritizing risk-based placement and alternatives (community supervision, treatment) to reduce bed use and fund supports.

House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
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Bill Summary · HB 25-1214

HB 25‑1214 — "Appropriate Use of Prison Beds"

Quick facts

  • Bill number: HB 25‑1214
  • Title: Appropriate Use of Prison Beds
  • Introduced: February 11, 2025
  • Primary sponsors: Rep. Julie Gonzales and Rep. Chad Clifford
  • Status (as of 2025‑04‑21): House Second Reading — Laid Over Daily (no amendments)
  • Committee history:
    • Introduced and assigned to Judiciary (2/11/2025)
    • Referred, amended, to Finance (3/26/2025)
    • Referred, amended, to Appropriations (4/7/2025)
    • Appropriations committee referred amended bill to House Committee of the Whole (4/17/2025)
    • House Second Reading laid over daily — no amendments (4/21/2025)

Note: The full bill text was not provided. The summary below interprets the bill’s likely purpose and typical types of provisions associated with a title of this nature. For exact language and legal effects, consult the official bill text.

Purpose / intent

Based on its title, HB 25‑1214 is intended to establish or clarify standards for when and how state prison beds should be used. The overarching goals of similar legislation are usually to:
- Ensure prison confinement is reserved for individuals who pose significant public-safety risk,
- Encourage use of alternatives to incarceration (community supervision, treatment, diversion),
- Reduce unnecessary incarceration and manage corrections capacity more efficiently,
- Promote consistent placement decisions across courts, parole/probation, and the Department of Corrections.

Likely key provisions (typical for this subject)

Because the text is unavailable, the bill may include one or more of the following elements commonly found in “prison bed use” bills:
- Definitions and criteria for "appropriate" use of prison beds (risk/need assessments, offense categories, length of sentence thresholds).
- Requirements for courts and parole boards to consider alternatives (community corrections, residential treatment, electronic monitoring, day reporting) before committing people to prison.
- Mandates for use of validated risk assessment tools and standardized placement protocols.
- Reporting and data requirements for the Department of Corrections and judicial entities on bed utilization, population forecasts, and alternative program capacity.
- Funding or grant programs to expand community‑based treatment, reentry services, or intermediate sanctions to support reductions in prison population.
- Timeframes for implementation, pilot programs, or sunset/review provisions.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals convicted of crimes (particularly low‑level, nonviolent, or treatment‑eligible offenders).
  • Courts, judges, and parole/probation agencies responsible for placement decisions.
  • State Department of Corrections (population management and facility operations).
  • County and community providers that supply alternatives (treatment programs, community corrections).
  • State budget and appropriations (potential savings or reallocation needs).

Potential impacts

  • Reduced demand for prison beds and possible operating cost savings over time, if alternatives are expanded and used.
  • Increased need for investment in community treatments, supervision, and reentry services to absorb populations diverted from prison.
  • Operational changes for courts and corrections (new protocols, training, data collection).
  • Legal and equity considerations around eligibility criteria and implementation consistency.

Next steps / how to follow

  • The bill is pending on the House Second Reading calendar. The next actions could include passage in the House, further amendments, or referral to the Senate if enacted.
  • To evaluate the bill precisely, review the official bill text and committee amendment summaries available from the legislative website or bill tracking services.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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