$100 Release Allowance and 30-Day Transit Pass for DOC Discharge
Summary
Colorado House Bill 26-1256 proposes requiring the Department of Corrections to provide individuals being discharged from custody with a release allowance of at least $100, free of any deductions, and a 30-day transit pass if discharged in a metropolitan area with fixed-route public transit. The bill mandates data collection on discharge statistics and annual reporting to the General Assembly. The DOC would also be required to assist offenders nearing release in obtaining state identification documents, with assistance from the Department of Public Health and Environment. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee (amended, 11-0) and was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
“The bill requires the department of corrections (department) to furnish an individual being discharged from the department's custody a release allowance of at least $100, free of any deductions, and a 30-day transit pass if the individual is discharged in a metropolitan area with fixed-route public transit.”
If enacted, Colorado DOC would need to establish new administrative processes for issuing the $100 release allowance and coordinating transit pass distribution. Agencies should monitor the bill's progress through the appropriations process and prepare implementation procedures, particularly for the ID document assistance requirement that involves multiple departments.
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What changed
HB26-1256 would create new requirements for the Colorado Department of Corrections regarding individual release procedures. The bill mandates a minimum $100 release allowance to be furnished without deductions, plus a 30-day transit pass for those discharged in areas with fixed-route public transit. It would require the DOC to assist offenders in securing state identification documents before release, with support from the Department of Public Health and Environment, and to submit annual reports on discharge statistics to the General Assembly.
Affected state agencies, including DOC and CDPHE, would need to develop new administrative procedures, data collection systems, and coordination workflows to implement these requirements if the bill is enacted. The bill's progress through House committees with bipartisan sponsorship suggests it has momentum, but remains subject to further amendment and full chamber votes before becoming law.
Hearing
- Date
- 2026-04-24 at 08:30
- Location
- Old State Library
Archived snapshot
Apr 24, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
HB26-1256
Procedures & Data Individual's Release from Department of Corrections
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement |
Concerning the procedure for releasing an individual from the department of corrections.
Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:
The bill requires the department of corrections (department) to furnish an individual being discharged from the department's custody a release allowance of at least $100, free of any deductions, and a 30-day transit pass if the individual is discharged in a metropolitan area with fixed-route public transit. The department is required to collect data on discharge statistics and issue a report to the general assembly annually.
The department is required to assist offenders nearing release from custody in securing necessary identification documents to ensure each individual leaving the department's custody has a valid state identification card. The department is required to collect data on the process of securing necessary identification documents to issue state identification cards and issue a report to the general assembly annually. The department of public health and environment shall assist the department in securing necessary identification documents.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Prime Sponsors
Jamie Jackson
Representative
Javier Mabrey
Senator
Lisa Cutter
Committees
House
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Status
Under Consideration
Introduced
Under Consideration
Upcoming Schedule
1 meeting
Apr 24
House Appropriations
8:30 AM Old State Library
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 02/18/2026 | Introduced |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 03/19/2026 | PA1 |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 03/16/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/22/2026 | SA1 |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer House Bill 26-1256, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 10-1. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment G). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer House Bill 26-1256, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 11-0. | Vote summary |
| Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF | |
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 04/24/2026 | L.002 | HOU Appropriations |
| 03/18/2026 | L.001 | HOU Judiciary |
- Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.
** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 04/24/2026 | House | House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 03/18/2026 | House | House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Appropriations |
| 02/18/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary |
Prime Sponsor
Rep. J. Jackson | Rep. J. Mabrey
Sponsor
(None) Co-Sponsor
(None)
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