(1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Colorado's citizens who are living with mental health and substance use disorders are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, and they are at a significantly greater risk of incurring criminal justice involvement, longer terms of involvement, and harsher consequences of that involvement when compared to the general public; (b) Colorado must make a commitment to ensure that all individuals within the criminal justice system are treated fairly and humanely, regardless of their behavioral health history or mental state; and (c) There is a significant need for enhanced communication among health-care systems, behavioral health systems, and criminal justice entities, including law enforcement, defense attorneys, district attorneys, county attorneys, judges, and probation, to foster collaboration that provides all individuals with a fair chance of living a healthy and productive life. (2) The general assembly further finds that: (a) Colorado has an obligation to ensure that entities within the criminal justice system are equipped with a greater understanding of behavioral health treatment options in the community; and (b) Community mental health providers, including community mental health centers, are a critical component of achieving positive outcomes for individuals living with mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders and have long held an essential role in engaging criminal justice entities. (3) The general assembly therefore finds that it is critical to create a network of professionals who can comprehensively bridge the criminal justice system and the community behavioral health systems across the state in order to: (a) Promote positive outcomes for individuals living with mental health or co-occurring behavioral health conditions; (b) Inform criminal justice entities about community treatment options; and (c) Connect individuals to behavioral health services. (4) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the office of bridges of Colorado provides a method for collaboration and consultation among behavioral health providers, district attorneys, county attorneys, and defense attorneys about available community-based behavioral health services and supports, competency evaluations, restoration to competency services, and other relevant decisions and issues facing individuals with mental health or co-occurring behavioral health challenges, including mental health disabilities, who are involved with the criminal or juvenile justice system, including appropriateness for community treatment and resource availability.
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