This amendment removes specific text from the bill that was likely related to a list of conditions or exceptions regarding release allowances.
Colorado2026Enacted
HB26-1256
Release Money and ID Cards for People Leaving Prison
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 8:22 AM
In one sentence
This law requires the Department of Corrections to give people leaving prison at least $100 with no deductions, helps them get state identification cards before they leave, and stops charging fees for these IDs while in custody.
What it does
- Requires giving individuals being released from custody a release allowance of at least $100 without any money taken out.
- Removes the old rule that required giving people a ticket to travel home before releasing them.
- Makes eligible offenders join a program to get state ID cards unless they choose not to participate.
- Stops the department from charging fees for getting an ID card while someone is still in custody; any costs must be paid after release.
- Requires collecting and reporting data on how many people receive money, IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security numbers upon release.
Who it affects
- Individuals being discharged from Department of Corrections facilities
- The Colorado Department of Corrections
- The Department of Public Health and Environment
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not state an effective date for when these rules begin.
- It is unclear how much money will be needed each year beyond the $100 minimum per person.
- The text does not explain what happens if a department cannot find documents to make an ID card.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Release allowance
- Money given to a person when they leave prison custody.
- Opt-out
- Choosing not to take part in the ID card program.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
The act 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. Beginning by September 15, 2027, and annually thereafter, the department is required to collect and report discharge data, including the number of individuals released from department correctional facilities, the number and percentage of released individuals who received the release allowance, and the total amount of money spent on release allowances. The department must issue a report to the general assembly annually. The act repeals provisions requiring the department to give an individual a ticket to leave prior to discharging the individual from a correctional facility. The act requires eligible offenders to participate in the department's existing program to procure state-issued identification cards for offenders (program), unless the offender affirmatively opts-out of the program. Beginning by September 15, 2027, and annually thereafter, 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. The report must include the number and percentage of offenders released with an identification card, birth certificate, and social security number and the number and percentage of offenders who were ineligible to participate in the program and the reason for ineligibility. The department is prohibited from charging an offender a fee to obtain a state identification card, and any fee incurred in the process of securing an offender's identification documents to create the state identification card must be assessed after the offender has been released and may be consolidated with existing restitution, fees, or other legal financial obligations owed by the offender. The department of public health and environment shall assist the department in securing necessary identification documents. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Official activity
Bill history
- Governor SignedGovernor
- Sent to the GovernorGovernor
- Signed by the President of the SenateSenate
- Signed by the Speaker of the HouseHouse
- Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsSenate
- Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No AmendmentsSenate
- Senate Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No AmendmentsSenate
- Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the WholeSenate
- Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to AppropriationsSenate
- Introduced In Senate - Assigned to JudiciarySenate
- House Third Reading Passed with Amendments - FloorHouse
- House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, FloorHouse
- House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeHouse
- House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to AppropriationsHouse
- Introduced In House - Assigned to JudiciaryHouse
Changes
Amendments
4 stored
This amendment changes how the Department of Corrections handles release documents and reporting, requiring officials to give inmates a 'ticket of leave' ten days before they are released.
This amendment changes the bill to require a yearly report on barriers people face getting ID documents and fixes unclear wording about how money is paid.
This amendment adds a rule that stops the Department of Corrections from charging fees when helping people get their identification before they are released.