CO HB 24-1017 - Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Bill of Rights for Foster Youth
04/19/2024 - Sent to the Governor
The bill establishes a statutory bill of rights for children and youth (youth) in foster care in Colorado, including youth participating in the foster youth in transition program but excluding youth detained by or committed to the care and physical custody of the division of youth services. The office of the child's representative shall develop a written notice of the rights, and a county department of human or social services shall provide each youth who is 5 years of age or older with the written notice in the youth's primary language at the time of the youth's initial placement in foster care, at each placement change, and at least annually.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
CO HB 24-1061 - Regina English
Marijuana Industry & Social Equity
03/21/2024 - House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Postpone Indefinitely
The bill creates a medical marijuana independent delivery license and a retail marijuana independent delivery license (licenses) to deliver and sell respective marijuana and marijuana products to consumers at permissible delivery locations. A person must have a social equity license to be issued the licenses. The department of revenue (department) is required to promulgate rules concerning the licenses. The bill creates an accelerator independent deliverer license, accelerator hospitality business license, and accelerator transporter license for social equity licensees qualified to participate in the accelerator program. The bill defines "permissible delivery locations" to establish where licensees with delivery privileges may deliver to consumers. The bill adds mandatory and permissive rule-making authority to the department concerning social-equity-related matters. The bill allows a marijuana hospitality licensee with a mobile facility to temporarily suspend its license privileges related to mobility in order to conduct non-marijuana commercial activities. The bill adds mandatory rule-making authority to the department concerning these matters. Beginning January 31, 2026, the bill requires the state licensing authority to provide an annual report to the finance committees of the house of representatives and the senate concerning active social equity or accelerator licenses and licensees, recommendations for new social equity or accelerator licenses, and recommendations for new or innovative funding sources for the social equity program. The department is required to convene a new, or utilize an existing, working group of persons to develop recommendations for the annual report. Effective April 1, 2025, the bill amends the eligibility requirements for a person to qualify as a social equity licensee. The new eligibility requirements do not apply to licensee applications or licenses issued before April 1, 2025, except for a limited exception. The bill eliminates the $1 surcharge applied on deliveries. The bill requires the department of regulatory agencies, as part of its sunset review of the "Colorado Marijuana Code" in 2028, to review social equity licensing and the licenses. Under current law, there is the marijuana entrepreneur fund within the office of economic development that provides grants and loans to support marijuana industry entrepreneurs. The bill creates a new permissible grant for local jurisdictions that establish a social equity licensing program. The bill creates a tax credit for an accelerator-endorsed licensee who hosts and offers technical and capital support to a social equity licensee for at least 12 consecutive months. An eligible accelerator-endorsed licensee may claim up to $50,000 and may carry it forward as a credit against subsequent years' income tax liability for a period not exceeding 5 years. The tax credit may be claimed for tax years 2026 through 2035. The bill amends the statutory provision concerning the retail marijuana sales tax to state that a retailer is not allowed to retain any portion of the retail marijuana sales tax collected to cover the expenses of collecting and remitting the tax. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO HB 24-1152 - Thomas Exum
Accessory Dwelling Units
04/18/2024 - Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing
Section 1 of the bill creates a series of requirements related to accessory dwelling units. The bill establishes unique requirements for subject jurisdictions and for qualifying as an accessory dwelling unit supportive jurisdiction (supportive jurisdiction). As established in the bill, a subject jurisdiction is either: A municipality that has a population of 1,000 or more and that is within the area of a metropolitan planning organization; or The portion of a county that is both within a census designated place with a population of ten thousand or more, as reported in the most recent decennial census, and within the area of a metropolitan planning organization. The bill requires a subject jurisdiction to allow, subject to an administrative approval process, one accessory dwelling unit as an accessory use to a single-unit detached dwelling in any part of the subject jurisdiction where the subject jurisdiction allows single-unit detached dwellings. The bill also prohibits subject jurisdictions from enacting or enforcing certain local laws that would restrict the construction or conversion of an accessory dwelling unit. In order to qualify as a supportive jurisdiction, a jurisdiction must submit a report to the division of local government in the department of local affairs (the division department ) demonstrating that the jurisdiction: Has complied with the accessory dwelling unit requirements the bill imposes on subject jurisdictions; and Has implemented one or more strategies to encourage and facilitate the construction or conversion of accessory dwelling units. Section 1 also creates the accessory dwelling unit fee reduction and encouragement grant program within the division department . The purpose of this grant program is for the division department to provide grants to supportive jurisdictions for offsetting costs incurred in connection with developing pre-approved accessory dwelling unit plans, providing technical assistance to persons converting or constructing accessory dwelling units, or waiving or reducing accessory dwelling unit associated fees and other required costs. In addition to providing grants, the department is required to develop a toolkit to support local governments in encouraging accessory dwelling unit construction. Section 2 requires the department to create, for local governments to consider and adopt, model public safety code requirements related to geographic or climatic conditions for factory-built structures, including those structures that would be considered accessory dwelling units. Section 2 3 grants the Colorado economic development commission the power to expend $8 million to contract with the Colorado housing and finance authority to operate and establish the following programs to benefit the residents of supportive jurisdictions: An accessory dwelling unit loss reserve program that offers affordable loans credit enhancement program that supports lenders offering affordable loans to eligible low- and moderate-income borrowers for the construction or conversion of accessory dwelling units; A program that allows for the buying down of interest rates on loans made to eligible low- and moderate-income borrowers in connection with the construction or conversion of accessory dwelling units; A program that offers down payment assistance in connection with accessory dwelling units , principal reduction on loans to eligible low- and moderate-income borrowers made in connection with accessory dwelling units, or both ; and A program through which the Colorado housing and finance authority offers direct loans in connection with loans, revolving lines of credit, or grants to eligible non-profits, public housing authorities, and community development financial institutions to make direct loans or grants to support the construction or conversion of accessory dwelling units for low- and moderate-income borrowers or tenants . Section 3 4 prohibits a planned unit development resolution or ordinance for a pl
CO HB 24-1153 - Tammy Story
Physician Continuing Education
04/25/2024 - House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
The bill establishes a continuing medical education requirement (CME) for physicians licensed in this state. To meet the CME requirement, a physician must complete 40 credit hours of CME (CME credit hours) in the 24 months preceding the renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation of the physician's medical license in topics selected by the physician and also in topics specified in the bill. The Colorado medical board (board) shall approve the type and sponsors of programs or activities that qualify for CME credit hours pursuant to criteria specified in the bill. To verify compliance with the CME requirement, the physician shall affirm on the license renewal form submitted to the board that the physician has complied with the CME requirement. The board is also authorized to audit up to 5% of physician renewals annually and to require that the physician submit proof of the CME programs completed and the CME credit hours awarded. A physician's failure to comply with the CME requirement or to submit proof to the board during a board audit constitutes unprofessional conduct. If the physician fails to comply with the CME requirement, the physician's license is inactive until reinstated by the board. The board may adopt rules to implement the CME requirement. The director of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies shall increase existing fees on physician licensure renewals to cover any additional costs associated with implementing the CME requirement. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO HB 24-1163 - Regina English
Pet Animal Registration System
02/08/2024 - House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Postpone Indefinitely
The bill requires the commissioner of the department of agriculture (commissioner) to develop, implement, and maintain an online pet animal registration system (system). The bill establishes the pet animal registration enterprise (enterprise) in the department of agriculture to provide business services to pet animal owners who pay pet registration fees to the enterprise by developing, implementing, maintaining, and administering the pet animal registration system, connecting pet animals with their owners and designated caregivers when and after emergencies occur, and protecting pet animals by supporting animal shelters that are caretakers of last resort. A pet animal owner must register the pet animal in the system annually for a fee set by the enterprise, which must be no more than $8.50 annually per pet animal with a designated caregiver, $16 annually per pet animal that is a dog or cat that is not neutered or spayed and has a designated caregiver, and $25 annually per pet animal without a designated caregiver. The fee set by the enterprise is in addition to any pet registration or licensing fee assessed by any other jurisdiction. The enterprise will collect both state and local fees and transmit any fee levied by another jurisdiction to that jurisdiction and the fee levied by the state to the newly created pet animal registration cash fund. The state's fee will be used to develop, implement, maintain, and administer the system and reimburse animal shelters for the cost of taking custody of a pet animal for which a caregiver cannot be located or has refused to take custody. The bill also requires a pet animal owner to designate a caregiver for the owner's pet animal. The caregiver is responsible for the care and safekeeping of the pet animal during an emergency that incapacitates the pet animal owner. First responders will use the system to identify the designated caregiver of the pet animal and notify the caregiver of the incapacitation of the pet animal's owner. A caregiver must agree to be responsible for the pet animal. If a caregiver later refuses to take custody of the pet animal or cannot be located, a first responder will place the pet animal in an animal shelter. Only first responders and the department of public health and environment are allowed to use the system. The bill specifies that to own a pet animal without registering the pet animal; to refuse or fail to comply with the provisions of the bill; to make a material misstatement in a registration application, a registration renewal application, or to the department of agriculture; or to refuse or fail to comply with any rules or regulations adopted by the commissioner is unlawful. An unlawful act is punishable by a civil penalty in an amount set by the commissioner but not to exceed $100 per unlawful act. If the commissioner is unable to collect the civil penalty, the commissioner may sue to recover the civil penalty or refuse to renew a registration. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO HB 24-1196 - Barbara Kirkmeyer
Department of Public Health & Environment Supplemental
02/27/2024 - Sent to the Governor
Supplemental appropriations are made to the department of public health and environment. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
CO HB 24-1223 - Lisa Cutter
Improved Access to the Child Care Assistance Program
02/07/2024 - Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
Concerning the improvement of programs that benefit working families.
CO HB 24-1286 - Elizabeth Velasco
Equal Justice Fund Authority
04/18/2024 - House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
The bill creates the equal justice fund authority as a special purpose authority to administer the equal justice fund for the purpose of providing monetary support to local organizations that provide legal representation and legal advice to low-income individuals. The bill requires certain court filings to incur an additional $20 filing fee that must be annually deposited into the equal justice fund. The bill prohibits a judge from requiring indigent parties to pay the docket fee for a civil action. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO HB 24-1399 - Rachel Zenzinger
Discounted Care for Indigent Patients
04/12/2024 - Sent to the Governor
Joint Budget Committee. The bill repeals the Colorado indigent care program on July 1, 2025, and makes conforming amendments. For purposes of comprehensive primary care services, current law defines an "uninsured or medically indigent patient" as a patient whose yearly family income is below 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL). The bill requires the patient's annual household income to be at or below 200% of the FPL. Beginning February 1, 2026, and each February 1 thereafter, the bill requires the executive director of the department of health care policy and financing (state department) to prepare and submit an annual report to the general assembly, the joint budget committee, the governor, and the medical services board concerning the status of the primary care fund. The bill creates the hospital discounted care advisory committee in the state department to advise the state department on the operations and policies of health-care billing for indigent patients. The bill repeals the advisory committee on September 1, 2029. No later than July 1, 2025, the bill requires the medical services board, in consultation with the Colorado healthcare affordability and sustainability enterprise, to promulgate rules concerning the policy for qualification for disproportionate share hospital payments. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
CO HB 24-1407 - Jeff Bridges
Community Food Assistance Provider Grant Program
04/12/2024 - Sent to the Governor
Joint Budget Committee. The bill combines the food pantry assistance program and the food bank assistance program into a single program named the community food assistance provider grant program (grant program) in the department of human services (state department). The purpose of the program is to provide grants to procure and distribute nutritious foods that meet the needs of eligible entities' clientele. The state department may contract with a third-party vendor to solicit, vet, award, and monitor grants. The state department shall include information regarding the grant program at its "SMART Act" hearing. The bill allows a recipient of the supplemental nutrition assistance program (recipient) to receive fuel assistance payments through the same payment mechanism that the recipient uses to receive other cash assistance benefits. The bill makes an appropriation. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
CO HB 24-1450 - Kevin Van Winkle
Revisor's Bill
04/24/2024 - Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
Committee on Legal Services - Revisor's Bill. To improve the clarity and certainty of the statutes, the bill amends, repeals, and reconstructs various statutory provisions of law that are obsolete, imperfect, or inoperative. The specific reasons for each amendment or repeal are set forth in the appendix to the bill. The amendments made by the bill are not intended to change the meaning or intent of the statutes, as amended.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
CO SB 24-007 - Brianna Titone
Behavioral Health First Aid Training Program
01/25/2024 - Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations
The bill creates the behavioral health first aid training program (training program) in the office of suicide prevention (office) in the department of public health and environment. The purpose of the training program is to: Improve overall community climate and promote adult, teen, and youth behavioral health, mental health, and mental well-being; Train educators and school staff; employees of community-based, youth-based, or nonprofit organizations; employees of organizations that serve underserved populations; faith-based community members; law enforcement officers; first responders; and active duty or retired military personnel (candidates) to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use among adults, teens, and youth; Train candidates on how to respond to an adult, teen, or youth who is experiencing mental health or substance use challenges; Train candidates on crisis intervention strategies and best practices; Prepare candidates to teach adults and teens how to recognize warning signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges; Prepare candidates to teach teens how to find a responsible and trusted adult for assistance when a peer is struggling with mental health or substance use challenges; and Prepare candidates to teach adults how to respond to a teen or youth struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. The office is required to contract with a Colorado-based nonprofit organization (third-party entity) to offer and administer the training program to organizations that apply to participate and are accepted in the training program that include, but are not limited to, school districts, district charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative services, the Colorado school for the deaf and the blind, community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, organizations that serve underserved communities, law enforcement agencies, first responder organizations, military forces, and faith-based organizations (organizations). Subject to available appropriations, the training program is available at no cost to the organizations selected to participate. The bill requires the office to promulgate rules to establish criteria for an application process. The third-party entity shall create an application process based on the rules promulgated by the office. The office shall use pre- and post-course surveys developed by a national mental and behavioral health organization to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program. The third-party entity shall administer the pre- and post-course surveys to collect evaluation data from the organizations. The third-party entity shall submit a report to the office summarizing the evaluation data collected. The office is required to include a summary of the evaluation data collected and recommendations, if necessary, concerning the training program in the office's annual report submitted to the general assembly each November 1. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO SB 24-008 - Junie Joseph
Kinship Foster Care Homes
04/18/2024 - House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee. The bill states that a court shall not delay permanency planning for a child or youth for purposes of maintaining financial support for a kinship foster care home, or a non-certified kinship foster care home, unless there are exceptional circumstances as approved by the court. Prior to transferring temporary legal custody of a child or youth to a relative or kin, the court shall make findings that the relative or kin was advised regarding the differences between kinship foster care and non-certified kinship care, including, but not limited to, financial assistance, custody requirements, and long-term financial support options. The bill allows the state department of human services (state department) to promulgate rules to modify the requirements for kinship foster care homes, including training topics for kinship foster care certification. Emergency financial assistance for a kinship foster care home is expanded to include goods needed for the child's basic care, including beds, clothing, and transportation costs, and limited rental or housing assistance not to exceed a 60-day subsidy. The bill clarifies the definitions regarding foster care homes, kinship foster care homes (kinship home), and non-certified kinship foster care homes (non-certified kinship home). A kinship home is a home that has been certified by a county department of human or social services (county department) or a child placement agency to provide 24-hour care for relatives or kin only who are less than 21 years of age. A kinship home is eligible for financial assistance and supports the same foster care reimbursement, assistance, and other supports as foster care homes . "Kinship foster care home" does not include a non-certified kinship home. A non-certified kinship home means a relative or kin who has a significant relationship with the child or youth and who has either chosen not to pursue the certification process or who has not met the certification requirements for a kinship home. The bill formally establishes the process by which a kinship home may apply for certification from a county department or child placement agency. A county department or child placement agency, upon the completion of the required background checks, may issue a one-time provisional certificate for a period of 6 months to an applicant at a specific location who is requesting provisional certification, if requested by the applicant. If the applicant completes the required background checks, the county department or child placement agency shall make payment beginning with the date of placement completion of the fingerprint background check . The county department or child placement agency shall complete the certification process within the timelines promulgated by rule of the state board. The applicant has the right to appeal any denial of certification. The state department, a county department, or a child placement agency has the right to revoke a kinship home's certification for cause. Prior to issuing a certificate or subsequent certificate to an applicant to operate a kinship home, a county department or a child placement agency shall conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history record check (fingerprint check) through the Colorado bureau of investigation. The applicant shall pay, unless otherwise paid by a county department, the costs associated with the fingerprint check to the Colorado bureau of investigation. The county department or child placement agency to which the kinship home applied for certification shall extend the provisional certification by an additional 60 days if the applicant can demonstrate that the applicant did not cause the delay in completing all the requirements for certification. A kinship home may opt out of the provisional certification process and remain eligible for supports through sources other than foster care maintenance. The bill stipulates that prior to transferring temporary legal
CO SB 24-040 - Mary Young
State Funding for Senior Services
01/10/2024 - Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
The bill requires the general assembly to annually adjust for inflation the general fund appropriation for state funding for senior services. No later than August 2024, and each August every 3 years thereafter, the bill requires the department of human services (department), the office of state planning and budgeting, and representatives from area agencies on aging to review the adequacy of the appropriation for senior services for the prior 3 fiscal years to address the needs of senior citizens who request services pursuant to the "Older Coloradans' Act". The department is required to report the findings of the adequacy review to the general assembly. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the department of human services for state funding for senior services. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO SB 24-049 - Stephanie Vigil
Content of Material in Libraries
02/26/2024 - Senate Committee on Education Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed
The bill establishes a process by which a student, parent, or member of the community may object to a library resource in a school or public library. Each library resource that is reconsidered pursuant to the process must be evaluated based on standards applied by a committee for school libraries and a director of a public library. Members of the committee for school libraries are appointed by the superintendent of the school district, and the committee covers reconsideration requests in all schools in the district. For public libraries, the director is selected by the library's board of trustees and covers the library or libraries in the library district. A library resource may not be removed while a request for reconsideration is pending. A principal, librarian, media specialist, other employee, contractor, or volunteer may refuse a directive to remove a library resource if such an individual has a good faith belief that the directive conflicts with law or policy established pursuant to the bill, and such an individual may not be subjected to retaliation. The bill prevents the state board of education from waiving the requirements of the bill as they are applied to public schools, district charter schools, and institute charter schools. The bill specifies that it is a discriminatory practice and unlawful for anyone to discriminate against anyone in the selection, retention, reconsideration, or display of a library resource. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO SB 24-057 - Judith Amabile
Agricultural Workforce & Suicide Prevention
02/07/2024 - Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations
The bill creates the agricultural workforce mental health and suicide prevention program (program) in the department of agriculture (department). The purpose of the program is to address the challenges facing agricultural workers and to provide agricultural workers mental health support, suicide prevention services, and crisis management services. As part of the program, the department shall: Create a public awareness campaign to promote suicide prevention among agricultural workers; Contract with a nationally recognized nonprofit organization to offer a free and confidential crisis support hotline for agricultural workers; Develop a mental wellness plan for agricultural workers who are affected by a natural disaster and its financial and industry-related repercussions; Coordinate suicide prevention and crisis management services with state agencies, including the department of human services and the behavioral health administration; Collaborate with the behavioral health administration to ensure callers to the 988 crisis hotline and callers to the crisis support hotline are served; and Collect data on the program and recommend legislative changes as necessary. The bill requires the department to submit a report summarizing the data collected on the program and recommendations on or before September 1, 2025, and September 1 every other year thereafter, to the house of representatives agriculture, water, and natural resources committee and the senate agriculture and natural resources committee, or their successor committees. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO SB 24-059 - Mary Young
Children's Behavioral Health Statewide System of Care
04/24/2024 - Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee. The bill requires the behavioral health administration (BHA), in partnership with the office of children, youth, and families in the department of human services; the department of health care policy and financing; the division of insurance in the department of regulatory agencies; and the department of public health and environment, to develop, establish, and maintain a comprehensive children's behavioral health statewide system of care (system of care). The system of care will serve as the single point of access to address the behavioral health needs of children and youth in Colorado, regardless of payer, insurance, and income. The system of care shall serve children and youth up to twenty-one years of age who have mental health disorders, substance use disorders, co-occurring behavioral health disorders, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. The system of care must include, at a minimum, a statewide behavioral health standardized screening and assessment, trauma-informed mobile crisis response and stabilization services for children and youth, tiered care coordination for moderate and intensive levels of need, parent and youth peer support, intensive in-home and community-based services, and respite services. The bill establishes the office of the children's behavioral health statewide system of care (office) in the BHA. The office is the primary governance entity and is responsible for convening all relevant state agencies involved in the system of care, including, but not limited to, the department of human services office of children, youth, and families, the division of child welfare, and the division of youth services; the department of health care policy and financing; the division of insurance in the department of regulatory agencies; and the department of public health and environment. The office will be directed by the deputy commissioner of the office. The bill requires the office to create and convene, on or before November 1, 2024, a leadership team responsible for decision-making and oversight. The leadership team is required to provide a report to the house of representatives public and behavioral health and human services committee and the senate health and human services committee, or their successor committees, on or before July 1, 2027. The office is required to create and convene, on or before January 15, 2025, an implementation team that shall create an implementation plan for the system of care. The implementation plan must receive an annual minimum appropriation of $10 million and include the creation of a capacity-building center, which shall develop, implement, and fund, within available appropriations, the following: A student loan forgiveness program for students in behavioral health disciplines who make a 3- to 5-year commitment to work in shortage areas in the system of care; Paid internships and clinical rotations in the system of care and a description of multiple options for payment; Revisions to graduate medical education programs at Colorado institutions of higher education to support internships, residencies, fellowships, and student programs in child and youth behavioral health; A financial aid program for youth transitioning out of foster care who wish to pursue a career in children and youth behavioral health, developed in partnership with Colorado institutions of higher education and community colleges; and An expansion of current BHA efforts related to behavioral health apprenticeships, internships, stipends, and pre-licensure workforce support specific to service children, youth, and families. On or before January 15, 2025, the office is required to create an advisory council, composed of, at a minimum, family and youth providers, local partners, county departments of human and social services, county commissioners, juvenile justice agencies, families or individuals with lived experience using children's or youths' beh
CO SB 24-136 - Bob Gardner
Uniform Guardianship & Conservatorship Act
04/09/2024 - Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
Colorado Commission on Uniform State Laws. The bill repeals the "Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act" and enacts the "Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act", drafted by the uniform law commission. The bill provides guidance for guardians and conservators and clarifies how appointees must make decisions on behalf of a person under guardianship or conservatorship. The bill encourages the use of protective arrangements and less restrictive alternatives instead of conservatorship or guardianship if a person's needs can be met with support services and technology. The bill expands the procedural rights for respondents to ensure that guardianships and conservatorships are only imposed when necessary. The bill provides for expanded monitoring of guardians and conservators to ensure compliance with fiduciary duties and prevent exploitation. The bill provides for visitation and communication rights for individuals subject to guardianship or conservatorship. This includes a limitation on a guardian's ability to prevent communication, visitation, or interactions between a person subject to guardianship and a third party. The bill provides for protections to prevent exploitation of vulnerable individuals by allowing the court to restrict access to the respondent or the respondent's property by a specified person without imposing a guardianship or conservatorship. The bill prohibits courts from establishing full guardianship or conservatorship if a limited guardianship or conservatorship would meet the respondent's needs, requires a petitioner seeking full guardianship or conservatorship to provide support to justify full guardianship or conservatorship, and requires courts to provide findings to support the imposition of full guardianship or conservatorship. The bill updates provisions concerning minors subject to guardianship and provides for involvement of a minor in decisions that involve the minor. The bill provides guidance for property management for individuals subject to guardianship. The bill contains model forms for petitioners and respondents to use when filing petitions and notice with the court. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO SB 24-142 - Anthony Hartsook
Oral Health Screening in Schools Pilot Program
04/17/2024 - Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
The bill amends the Colorado oral health community grants program administered by the department of public health and environment (department) to award grants for the implementation of oral health screening in public schools through the oral health screening pilot program (pilot program) created in the bill. The purpose of the pilot program is to provide oral health screening to students in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade (early grades) at a minimum of 5 pilot program sites at school districts or schools of a school district, charter schools, institute charter schools, or boards of cooperative education services (local education providers) to demonstrate the effectiveness of oral health screening in early grades of reducing dental decay, the costs of providing oral health screening to students, and best practices for providing oral health screening that could be scaled statewide. The department, in conjunction with the department of education, shall select local education providers as pilot program participants to each receive a grant of up to $20,000 per year for 2 years to screen students in one early grade. The bill includes requirements for the pilot program regarding: Qualifications for participating oral health screeners; The oral health screening; The selection by the department of an oral health screening tool; Notice to parents, including the ability of parents to refuse oral health screening for their children; Reporting to parents of the outcome of the oral health screening and information and referral if dental concerns are identified for a student; and The protection of confidential health data. A participating oral health screener shall provide data and information to the department for purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program, including the number of students screened and oral health concerns identified, as well as other relevant data and information as determined by the department. The department shall submit a report of the findings to the health and human services committees of the house of representatives and of the senate, or their successor committees. The pilot program repeals July 1, 2028, after the screening and reporting on the pilot program is completed. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
CO SB 24-176 - Barbara McLachlan
Update Medicaid Member Terminology
04/19/2024 - Signed by the President of the Senate
Statutory Revision Committee. Current law refers to a "member", "client", "consumer", and "recipient" interchangeably when referring to an individual who is enrolled in the state medical assistance program (medicaid). The bill updates the terminology to refer only to medicaid "members".(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
CO SB 24-191 - Lisa Frizell
Host Homes for Youth
04/01/2024 - Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
Concerning the operation of host homes for youth.