(1) The mission of the commission is to enhance public safety, to ensure justice, and to ensure protection of the rights of victims through the cost-effective use of public resources. The work of the commission will focus on evidence-based recidivism reduction initiatives and the cost-effective expenditure of limited criminal justice funds.

(2) The commission has the following duties:

(a) To conduct an empirical analysis of and collect evidence-based data on sentencing policies and practices, including but not limited to the effectiveness of the sentences imposed in meeting the purposes of sentencing and the need to prevent recidivism and revictimization;

(b) To investigate effective alternatives to incarceration, the factors contributing to recidivism, evidence-based recidivism reduction initiatives, and cost-effective crime prevention programs;

(c) To make an annual report of findings and recommendations, including evidence-based analysis and data;

(d) To study and evaluate the outcomes of commission recommendations as implemented;

(e) To conduct and review studies, including but not limited to work and resources compiled by other states, and make recommendations concerning policies and practices in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The areas of study shall include, but are not limited to, the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities within the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The commission shall prioritize areas of study based on the potential impact on crime and corrections and the resources available for conducting the work.

(f) To work with other state-established boards, task forces, or commissions that study or address criminal justice issues.

(g)

(I) To study whether existing criminal statutes address abuse of a child or youth in a facility and issue corresponding recommendations concerning any identified gaps in law that may need to be addressed. On or before July 1, 2019, the commission shall provide a report with its findings and recommendations to the judiciary and the public health care and human services committees of the house of representatives and the judiciary and the health and human services committees of the senate, or any successor committees.

(II) For purposes of this subsection (2)(g), "facility" means a residential child care facility, specialized group facility, foster care home, family child care home, or any other facility subject to the Colorado "Child Care Licensing Act", part 1 of article 6 of title 26; noncertified kinship care providers that provide care for children with an open child welfare case who are in the legal custody of a county department; or a facility or community placement, as described in section 19-2-403, for a juvenile committed to the custody of the department of human services. "Facility" does not include any adult detention or correctional facility.

(2.5) (a) Using empirical analysis and evidence-based data, the commission shall study sentences in Colorado.

(b) to (d) Repealed.

(2.7) and (2.8) Repealed.

(3) The commission shall establish advisory committees that focus on specific subject matters and make recommendations to the full commission. The chairperson of the commission shall select the chairpersons for the advisory committees as well as the commission members to serve on the advisory committees. The chairperson of an advisory committee may select noncommission members from interested members of the community to serve on the advisory committee. Each advisory committee shall make findings and recommendations for consideration by the commission. Noncommission members of an advisory committee shall serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses.

(4) The commission, at its discretion, may respond to inquiries referred by members of the general assembly, the governor, and the chief justice of the Colorado supreme court, as resources allow.

(5) (a) The division of criminal justice in the department of public safety, in consultation with the department of corrections, shall provide resources for data collection, research, analysis, and publication of the commission's findings and reports.

(b) Upon the request of the commission, the office of legislative legal services created pursuant to section 2-3-501, C.R.S., shall provide a staff member to attend meetings of the commission.

(6) The commission is encouraged to create and make publicly available a document describing the provisions of section 18-1-711, C.R.S.

(7) On or before May 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall request a letter from the governor suggesting topics for the commission to study. In preparing the letter, the governor is encouraged to consult with the chief justice of the Colorado supreme court and the majority and minority leaders of the house of representatives and the senate.