Colorado 2023 2023 Regular Session

Colorado House Bill HB1235 Amended / Bill

Filed 04/19/2023

                    First Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
on Second Reading in the Second House
LLS NO. 23-0854.01 Alana Rosen x2606
HOUSE BILL 23-1235
House Committees Senate Committees
Education Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING TECHNICAL MODIFICAT IONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF101
EARLY CHILDHOOD .102
Bill Summary
(Note:  This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
Title 26.5 of the Colorado Revised Statutes relates primarily to
early childhood programs and services. In 2022, the general assembly
enacted House Bill 22-1295, which established the duties of the
department of early childhood (department), relocated early childhood
programs from the departments of human services and education to the
department, and created the Colorado universal preschool program in the
SENATE
2nd Reading Unamended
April 19, 2023
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 11, 2023
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 10, 2023
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Sirota, Bacon, Bird, Boesenecker, Brown, Epps, Froelich, Garcia, Hamrick, Jodeh, Lieder,
Lindstedt, Marshall, Martinez, McLachlan, Michaelson Jenet, Ortiz, Ricks, Snyder, Young
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Buckner, 
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment.  Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. department.
The bill makes technical changes to title 26.5 and related statutes,
including:
! Updates language regarding gifts, grants, and donations to
achieve uniformity;
! Allows the department to enter into sole source contracts
for early literacy programming and whole-child services;
! Adds the executive director of the department to the health
equity commission;
! Adds the commissioner of the behavioral health
administration to the Colorado child abuse prevention
board;
! Clarifies reporting dates to ensure the department can
complete and report data in a timely manner;
! Clarifies the department's responsibilities concerning child
abuse or neglect record checks;
! Amends background and record check language to align
with current federal and state practices and standards;
! Clarifies definitions;
! Updates references from "ICON" to "Colorado state courts
data access system"; and
! Eliminates technical language no longer used in child care
licensing.
The bill makes conforming amendments.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-1-106, amend2
(7) as follows:3
26.5-1-106.  Transfer of functions - employees - property -4
contracts. (7)  The executive director, or the executive director's5
designee, may 
SEEK, accept, AND EXPEND, on behalf of and in the name6
of the state, gifts, grants, and donations for any purpose connected with7
the powers, duties, and functions of the department. The state treasurer8
shall hold any property so given, but the executive director, or the9
executive director's designee, may direct the disposition of any property10
so given for any purpose consistent with the terms and conditions under11
1235-2- which the gift was created.1
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-2-209, amend2
(2) as follows:3
26.5-2-209.  Early childhood cash fund - creation. (2)  The4
department is authorized to seek, and accept, AND EXPEND, gifts, grants,5
or donations from private and public sources for the purposes of this part6
2. All private and public money received through gifts, grants, or7
donations must be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the8
same to the fund. The money in the fund is subject to annual9
appropriation by the general assembly to the department for the direct and10
indirect costs associated with the implementation of this part 2.11
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-3-103, amend12
(1)(c)(III) as follows:13
26.5-3-103.  Program created - repeal. (1) (c) (III)  The14
department may 
SEEK, accept, and expend any grants from any public or15
private source for the purpose of making grants to community applicants16
for the establishment or continued operation of family resource centers17
and for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the family resource18
center program. This part 1 does not prohibit a family resource center19
from 
SEEKING, accepting, and expending funds received through an20
authorized contract, grants, or donations from public or private sources.21
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-3-204, amend22
(2)(e); and add (2)(l) as follows:23
26.5-3-204.  Colorado child abuse prevention board - creation24
- members - terms - vacancies. (2)  The board consists of nineteen25
members, with a consideration for geographic diversity, as follows:26
(e)  Three
 TWO persons appointed by the governor and confirmed27
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-3- by the senate who are knowledgeable in the area of child abuse1
prevention and represent some of the following areas: Law enforcement,2
medicine, law, business, public policy, mental health, intimate partner3
violence, early childhood education, elementary and secondary education,4
reducing poverty and helping families gain economic stability, the5
connection between housing instability and trauma, higher education,6
research and program evaluation, and social work. In making7
appointments to the board, the governor is encouraged to include8
representation by at least one member who is a person with a disability,9
as defined in section 24-34-301 (2.5), a family member of a person with10
a disability, or a member of an advocacy group for persons with11
disabilities, so long as the other requirements of this subsection (2)(e) are12
met.13
(l)  T
HE COMMISSIONER OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH14
ADMINISTRATION, CREATED IN SECTION 27-50-102, OR THE15
COMMISSIONER'S DESIGNEE.16
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-3-205, amend17
(1)(j) as follows:18
26.5-3-205.  Powers and duties of the board. (1)  The board has19
the following powers and duties:20
(j)  To accept grants from the federal government, as well as to21
solicit and
 SEEK, accept, AND EXPEND contributions, grants, gifts,22
bequests, and donations from individuals, private organizations, and23
foundations; and24
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-3-805, amend25
(4) as follows:26
26.5-3-805.  Early care and education recruitment and27
1235
-4- retention grant and scholarship program - created - criteria and1
eligibility - grant and scholarship awards - reports - funding - rules2
- definitions - repeal. (4)  The executive director shall MAY promulgate3
rules regarding criteria, timelines, and the administration of the program4
pursuant to the requirements outlined in this section.5
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-4-114, amend6
(1)(f) as follows:7
26.5-4-114.  Colorado child care assistance program -8
reporting requirements. (1)  On or before November 1, 2022, and on or9
before November 1 each year thereafter, the department shall prepare a10
report on CCCAP. Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the11
department shall provide the report to the joint budget committee of the12
general assembly, the public and behavioral health and human services13
committee of the house of representatives, and the health and human14
services committee of the senate, or any successor committees. The report15
must include, at a minimum, the following information related to16
benchmarks of success for CCCAP:17
(f)  The number of families on each county's wait list as of18
November 1 OCTOBER 1 of each year, as well as the average length of19
time each family remains on the wait list in each county;20
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-4-208, amend21
(4)(a) and (6)(d) as follows:22
26.5-4-208.  Preschool provider funding - per-child rates - local23
contribution - distribution and use of money - definitions - repeal.24
(4) (a)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if25
the funding that a preschool provider that is a school district or a charter26
school receives pursuant to this section for eligible children enrolled in27
1235
-5- the preschool program for the 2023-24 fiscal year, calculated as the1
per-child rates for the 2023-24 fiscal year multiplied by the number of2
eligible children the preschool provider enrolls for the 2023-24 fiscal3
year, is less than the amount of funding allotted for the 2022-23 fiscal4
year for the children the preschool provider enrolled through the Colorado5
preschool program, as it exists prior to July 1, 2023, calculated as fifty6
percent of the preschool provider's per pupil funding, as described in7
section 22-54-104 (3) or (3.5), whichever is applicable, for the 2022-238
fiscal year multiplied by the number of children PRESCHOOL POSITIONS the9
preschool provider enrolled through the Colorado preschool program and10
directly served for the 2022-23 fiscal year, the department shall distribute11
to the preschool provider for the 2023-24 fiscal year an amount equal to12
the difference in said amounts.13
(6)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:14
(d)  "State average per pupil funding amount" means the statewide15
total amount of THE per pupil funding AMOUNTS, as described in section16
22-54-104 (3) or (3.5), 
FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE AS17
calculated for all school districts for
 the 2022-23 budget year divided by18
the statewide total funded pupil count, minus the statewide total district19
extended high school pupil enrollment and the statewide total online pupil20
enrollment, for the 2022-23 budget year TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOOL21
DISTRICTS, THEN MULTIPLIED BY FIFTY PERCENT.22
SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-102, add23
(7)(d) as follows:24
26.5-5-102. School-readiness quality improvement program -25
created - rules. (7) (d) THE DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO26
A CONTRACT WITH AN ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING :27
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-6- (I) EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMMING AND RELATED SUPPORTS ; AND1
(II)  WHOLE-CHILD SERVICES.2
     3
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-303, amend4
(1), (3), (7), (12), (13), and (16)(a); repeal (11); and add (1.5) and (5.5)5
as follows:6
26.5-5-303.  Definitions. As used in this part 3, unless the context7
otherwise requires:8
(1)  "Affiliate of a licensee" means:9
(a)  Any person or entity that owns more than five percent of the10
ownership interest in the business operated by the licensee or the11
applicant for a license; or12
(b)  Any person who is directly responsible for the care and13
welfare of children served; or14
(c)  Any executive, officer, member of the governing board, or15
employee of a licensee; or16
(d)  A relative of a licensee, which relative provides care to17
children at the licensee's facility or is otherwise involved in the18
management or operations of the licensee's facility. "ADVERSE ACTION"19
HAS THE SAME MEANING AS "NEGATIVE LICENSING ACTION" AS DEFINED IN20
SUBSECTION (16)(a) OF THIS SECTION.21
(1.5)  "A
FFILIATE OF A LICENSEE" MEANS:22
(a)  A
NY PERSON OR ENTITY THAT OWNS MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT23
OF THE OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE BUSINESS OPERATED BY THE LICENSEE24
OR THE APPLICANT FOR A LICENSE; OR25
(b)  A
NY PERSON WHO IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE26
AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN SERVED ; OR27
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-7- (c)  ANY EXECUTIVE, OFFICER, MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BOARD ,1
OR EMPLOYEE OF A LICENSEE; OR2
(d)  A
 RELATIVE OF A LICENSEE, WHICH RELATIVE PROVIDES CARE3
TO CHILDREN AT THE LICENSEE'S FACILITY OR IS OTHERWISE INVOLVED IN4
THE MANAGEMENT OR OPERATIONS OF THE LICENSEE 'S FACILITY.5
(3) (a) (I)
 "Child care center" prior to July 1, 2024, means a6
facility, by whatever name known, that is maintained for the whole or part7
of a day for the care of five or more children, unless otherwise specified8
in this subsection (3)(a)(I) SUBSECTION (3), who are eighteen years of age9
or younger and who are not related to the owner, operator, or manager10
thereof, whether the facility is operated with or without compensation for11
such care and with or without stated educational purposes. The term12
includes, but is not limited to, facilities commonly known as child care13
centers, school-age child care centers, before- and after-school programs,14
kindergartens, preschools, day camps, and summer camps, and includes15
those facilities for children under six years of age with stated educational16
purposes operated in conjunction with a public, private, or parochial17
college or a private or parochial school; except that the term does not18
apply to any kindergarten maintained in connection with a public, private,19
or parochial elementary school system of at least six grades.20
(II)  This subsection (3)(a) is repealed, effective July 1, 2024.21
(b)  "Child care center", on and after July 1, 2024, means a facility,22
by whatever name known, that is maintained for the whole or part of a23
day for the care of five or more children, unless otherwise specified in24
this subsection (3)(b), who are eighteen years of age or younger and who25
are not related to the owner, operator, or manager thereof, whether the26
facility is operated with or without compensation for such care and with27
1235
-8- or without stated educational purposes. The term includes, but is not1
limited to, facilities commonly known as child care centers, school-age2
child care centers, before- and after-school programs, kindergartens,3
preschools, day camps, and summer camps, and includes those facilities4
for children under six years of age with stated educational purposes5
operated in conjunction with a public, private, or parochial college or a6
private or parochial school; except that the term does not apply to any7
kindergarten maintained in connection with a public, private, or parochial8
elementary school system of at least six grades.9
(5.5)  "C
OLORADO STATE COURTS DATA ACCESS SYSTEM " MEANS10
THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC ACCESS SITE FOR THE COLORADO JUDICIAL BRANCH11
MAINTAINED BY THE COLORADO STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR 'S OFFICE12
CONTAINING READ-ONLY ACCESS TO COURT DATA , INCLUDING A NAME13
INDEX AND REGISTER OF ACTIONS.14
(7)  "Family child care home" means a facility for child care15
operated with or without compensation or educational purposes in a place16
of residence of a family or person for the purpose of providing less than17
twenty-four-hour care for children under the age of eighteen years who18
are not related to the head of such home. "Family child care home" may19
include infant-toddler child care homes, large 
FAMILY child care homes,20
experienced provider
 child care PROVIDER homes, and such other types21
of family child care homes designated by department rules pursuant to22
section 26.5-5-314 (2)(n), as the executive director deems necessary and23
appropriate.24
(11)  "ICON" means the computerized database of court records25
known as the integrated Colorado online network used by the state26
judicial department.27
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-9- (12)  "Kindergarten" means any facility providing an educational1
program for children only for the year preceding their entrance to the first2
grade, whether such facility is called a kindergarten, nursery school,3
preschool, or any other name.4
(13)  "License" means a legal document issued pursuant to this5
part 3 granting permission to operate a child care facility. A license may6
be in the form of a provisional, probationary, permanent, or time-limited7
license OR PERMANENT LICENSE.8
(16) (a)  "Negative licensing action", 
OR "ADVERSE ACTION",9
means a final agency action resulting in the denial of an application, the10
imposition of fines, or the suspension or revocation of a license issued11
pursuant to this part 3 or the demotion of such a license to a probationary12
license.13
SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-304, amend14
(1)(f)(I) introductory portion as follows:15
26.5-5-304.  Application of part - definition - repeal. (1)  This16
part 3 does not apply to:17
(f) (I)  An individual who provides less than twenty-four-hour18
child care in a
 THE INDIVIDUAL'S PERMANENT place of residence when19
one of the following conditions is met:20
SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-307, amend21
(2)(f)(III)(A) and (2)(g)(III)(A) as follows:22
26.5-5-307.  Application of part - guest child care facilities -23
public services short-term child care facilities - definition. (2)  A24
person or entity shall not operate a guest child care facility or a public25
services short-term child care facility unless the following requirements26
are met:27
1235
-10- (f) (III) (A)  The guest child care facility or public services1
short-term child care facility requests the department to obtain a2
comparison search on the ICON COLORADO STATE COURTS DATA ACCESS3
system at the state judicial department with the name and date of birth4
information and any other available source of criminal history5
information that the department determines is appropriate, whether or not6
the criminal history background check confirms a criminal history, in7
order to determine the crime or crimes, if any, for which the supervisory8
employee or applicant for a supervisory employee position was arrested9
or convicted and the disposition thereof; and10
(g) (III) (A)  The guest child care facility or public services11
short-term child care facility requests the department to obtain a12
comparison search on the ICON COLORADO STATE COURTS DATA ACCESS13
system at the state judicial department with the name and date of birth14
information and any other available source of criminal history15
information that the department determines is appropriate, whether or not16
the criminal history background check confirms a criminal history, in17
order to determine the crime or crimes, if any, for which the employee18
was arrested or convicted and the disposition thereof; and19
SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-308, amend20
(4)(c) as follows:21
26.5-5-308.  Application of part - neighborhood youth22
organizations - rules - licensing - duties and responsibilities -23
definitions. (4)  A licensed neighborhood youth organization shall24
require all employees and volunteers who work directly with or will work25
directly with youth members five or more days in a calendar month to26
obtain, prior to employment, and every two years thereafter, one of the27
1235
-11- following:1
(c)  A comparison search by the department on the ICON2
C
OLORADO STATE COURTS DATA ACCESS system of the state judicial3
department or a comparison search on any other database that is4
recognized on a statewide basis by using the name, date of birth, and5
social security number information that the department determines is6
appropriate to determine whether the person being investigated has been7
convicted of felony child abuse as specified in section 18-6-401 or a8
felony offense involving unlawful sexual behavior as defined in section9
16-22-102 (9). The neighborhood youth organization shall not hire a10
person as an employee or approve a person as a volunteer after11
confirmation of such a criminal history.12
SECTION 14. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-309, amend13
(4)(a)(I)(E) and (4)(b); and add (4)(a)(I)(E.5) as follows: 14
26.5-5-309.  Licenses - rules - definition. (4) (a) (I)  The15
department shall not issue a license to operate a family child care home16
or a child care center if the applicant for the license, an affiliate of the17
applicant, a person employed by the applicant, or a person who resides18
with the applicant at the facility has been convicted of:19
(E)  Any felony involving physical assault 
OR battery; or a
20
drug-related offense within the five years preceding the date of21
application for a license;22
(E.5)  A
NY FELONY INVOLVING A DRUG-RELATED OFFENSE WITHIN23
THE FIVE YEARS PRECEDING THE DATE OF APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE ;24
(b)  The department shall determine the convictions identified in25
subsection (4)(a) of this section according to the records of the Colorado26
bureau of investigation, the ICON
 COLORADO STATE COURTS DATA27
1235
-12- ACCESS system at the state judicial department, or any other source, as set1
forth in section 26.5-5-316 (1)(a)(II). A certified copy of the judgment of2
a court of competent jurisdiction of such conviction, deferred judgment3
and sentence agreement, deferred prosecution agreement, or deferred4
adjudication agreement is prima facie evidence of the conviction or5
agreement. The department shall not issue a license to operate a family6
child care home or a child care center if the department has a certified7
court order from another state indicating that the person applying for the8
license has been convicted of child abuse or any unlawful sexual offense9
against a child under a law of any other state or the United States, or the10
department has a certified court order from another state that the person11
applying for the license has entered into a deferred judgment or deferred12
prosecution agreement in another state as to child abuse or any sexual13
offense against a child.14
SECTION 15. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-311, amend15
(1)(a)(I) and (2)(a) as follows:16
26.5-5-311.  Fees - when original applications, reapplications,17
and renewals for licensure are required - creation of child care18
licensing cash fund - rules. (1) (a)  The department is authorized to19
establish, pursuant to rules promulgated by the executive director,20
permanent, time-limited, and provisional license fees and fees for21
continuation of a license for the following types of child care22
arrangements:23
(I)  Family child care homes, including any special type of family24
child care home designated by department rules pursuant to section25
26.5-5-314 (2)(n); but excluding homes certified by county departments26
or child placement agencies;27
1235
-13- (2) (a)  The fees specified in subsection (1) of this section must be1
paid when 
AN application is made
 SUBMITTED for any license is sought2
A LICENSE OR RENEWAL OF A LICENSE and are not subject to refund.3
Applications for licenses are required in the situations that are set forth4
in subsection (2)(b) of this section and must be made on forms prescribed5
by the department. Each completed application must set forth such6
information as required by the department. All licenses continue in force7
until revoked, surrendered, or expired.8
SECTION 16. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-316, amend9
(1)(a)(I)(A) and (1)(a)(II)(A) as follows:10
26.5-5-316.  Investigations and inspections - local authority -11
reports - rules. (1) (a) (I) (A)  The department shall investigate and pass12
on each original application for a license, each application for a13
permanent or time-limited license following the issuance of a14
probationary or provisional license, and each application for renewal, to15
operate a facility or an agency prior to granting the license or renewal. As16
part of the investigation, the department shall require each individual,17
including, but not limited to, the applicant, any owner, employee, newly18
hired employee, licensee, and any adult who is eighteen years of age and19
older who resides in the licensed facility, to obtain a fingerprint-based20
criminal history record check by reviewing any record that is used to21
assist the department in ascertaining whether the person being22
investigated has been convicted of any of the criminal offenses specified23
in section 26.5-5-309 (4) or any other felony. The executive director shall24
promulgate rules that define and identify what the criminal history record25
check entails.26
(II)  Rules promulgated by the executive director pursuant to27
1235
-14- subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section must also include:1
(A)  A comparison search on the ICON COLORADO STATE COURTS2
DATA ACCESS system at the state judicial department with the name and3
date of birth information and any other available source of criminal4
history information that the department determines is appropriate for each5
circumstance in which the fingerprint check conducted by the Colorado6
bureau of investigation either does not confirm a criminal history or7
confirms a criminal history, in order to determine the crime or crimes for8
which the person was arrested or convicted and the disposition thereof;9
SECTION 17. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-317, amend10
(2) introductory portion, (2)(b), and (8) as follows:11
26.5-5-317.  Denial of license - suspension - revocation -12
probation - refusal to renew license - fines. (2)  The department may13
deny an application or suspend, revoke, or make probationary the license14
of any facility regulated and licensed under PURSUANT TO this part 3 or15
assess a fine against the licensee pursuant to section 26.5-5-323 if the16
licensee, an affiliate of the licensee, a person employed by the licensee,17
or a person who resides with the licensee at the facility:18
(b)  Is convicted of third degree assault, as described in section19
18-3-204; any misdemeanor, the underlying factual basis of which has20
been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic21
violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3; the violation of a protection22
order, as described in section 18-6-803.5; any misdemeanor offense of23
child abuse as defined in section 18-6-401; or any misdemeanor offense24
in any other state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the25
elements of any one of the offenses described in this subsection (2)(b).26
As used in this subsection (2)(b), "convicted" has the same meaning as27
1235
-15- set forth in section 26.5-5-309 (4)(a)(II).1
(8)  The department shall determine the existence of convictions2
identified in this section according to the records of the Colorado bureau3
of investigation, the ICON COLORADO STATE COURTS DATA ACCESS4
system at the state judicial department, or any other source, as set forth5
in section 26.5-5-316 (1)(a)(II).6
SECTION 18. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-326, amend7
(1)(a)(IV); and add (1)(a)(V) as follows:8
26.5-5-326.  Exempt family child care home providers -9
fingerprint-based criminal history record check - child care10
assistance program money - temporary care - rules - definitions.11
(1) (a) (IV)  The C
OLORADO BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 'S BACKGROUND12
CHECK PORTION OF THE FCC required pursuant to this section is a13
prerequisite to the issuance or renewal of a contract for receipt of money14
under
 PURSUANT TO the Colorado child care assistance program as15
provided in part 1 of article 4 of this title 26.5. The department shall not16
issue or renew a contract for payment of money under the Colorado child17
care assistance program to a qualified provider who fails to submit to the18
C
OLORADO BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS BACKGROUND CHECK PORTION19
OF THE FCC or fails to submit fingerprints for a qualified adult.20
(V)  T
HE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 'S PORTION OF THE21
FCC
 REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IS A PREREQUISITE TO THE22
ISSUANCE OF AN INITIAL CONTRACT , AND MUST BE CONDUCTED EVERY23
FIVE YEARS THEREAFTER, FOR RECEIPT OF MONEY PURSUANT TO THE24
C
OLORADO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS PROVIDED IN PART 1 OF25
ARTICLE 4 OF THIS TITLE 26.5. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOT ISSUE OR26
RENEW A CONTRACT FOR PAYMENT OF MONEY PURSUANT TO THE27
1235
-16- COLORADO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO A QUALIFIED PROVIDER1
WHO FAILS TO SUBMIT THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 'S PORTION2
OF THE FCC OR FAILS TO SUBMIT FINGERPRINTS FOR A QUALIFIED ADULT3
AT THE TIME OF INITIAL CONTRACT OR EVERY FIVE YEARS THEREAFTER .4
SECTION 19. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-5-328, repeal5
(2), (3), and (4) as follows:6
26.5-5-328.  Applications for licenses. (2)  The department or any7
authorized agent of the department shall deny, suspend, or revoke a8
license pursuant to the provisions of section 26-13-126, and any rules9
promulgated to implement said section, if the department or agent10
receives a notice to deny, suspend, or revoke from the state child support11
enforcement agency because the licensee or applicant is out of12
compliance with a court or administrative order for current child support,13
child support debt, retroactive child support, child support arrearages, or14
child support when combined with maintenance or because the licensee15
or applicant has failed to comply with a properly issued subpoena or16
warrant relating to a paternity or child support proceeding. Any such17
denial, suspension, or revocation must be in accordance with the18
procedures specified by rule of the department of human services and19
rules promulgated by the state board of human services for the20
implementation of section 26-13-126.21
(3) (a)  The department shall enter into a memorandum of22
understanding with the state child support enforcement agency, which23
memorandum must identify the relative responsibilities of the department24
and the state child support enforcement agency with respect to the25
implementation of this section and section 26-13-126.26
(b)  The executive director may promulgate rules to implement the27
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(4)  As used in this section, "license" means any recognition,2
authority, or permission that the department or any authorized agent of3
the department is authorized by law to issue for an individual to practice4
a profession or occupation or recreational activity. "License" includes,5
but is not limited to, a license, certificate, certification, letter of6
authorization, or registration issued for an individual to practice a7
profession or occupation or for an individual to participate in a8
recreational activity.9
SECTION 20. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-1-307, amend10
(2)(j.7), (2)(k), (2)(k.5), (2)(l), (2)(r), and (2)(y) as follows:11
19-1-307.  Dependency and neglect records and information -12
access - fee - records and reports fund - misuse of information -13
penalty - adult protective services data system check - rules.14
(2)  Records and reports - access to certain persons - agencies. Except15
as set forth in section 19-1-303, only the following persons or agencies16
have access to child abuse or neglect records and reports:17
(j.7)  The department of early childhood, 
WHEN REQUESTED IN18
WRITING BY ANY OPERATOR OF A FACILITY THAT IS investigating an19
applicant for an employee or volunteer position with, or an employee or20
volunteer of, a licensed neighborhood youth organization pursuant to21
section 26.5-5-308, when the applicant, employee, or volunteer has given22
written authorization to the department of early childhood to check23
records or reports of child abuse or neglect. A
NY OPERATOR WHO24
REQUESTS INFORMATION CONCERNING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS NOT A25
CURRENT EMPLOYEE OR AN APPLICANT FOR EMPLOYMENT COMMITS A26
CLASS 2 MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION27
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-18- 18-1.3-501. WITHIN TWENTY DAYS AFTER THE OPERATOR 'S REQUEST, THE1
DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SHALL PROVIDE THE DATE OF THE2
REPORT OF THE INCIDENT, THE LOCATION OF INVESTIGATION, THE TYPE OF3
ABUSE AND NEGLECT , AND THE COUNTY THAT INVESTIGATED THE4
INCIDENT CONTAINED IN THE CONFIRMED REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE OR5
NEGLECT.6
(k)  The state department of human services or department of early7
childhood, when requested in writing by any operator of a facility or8
agency that is licensed by the state department of human services9
pursuant to section 26-6-912 or department of early childhood pursuant10
to section 26.5-5-316, to check records or reports of child abuse or11
neglect for the purpose of screening an applicant for employment or a12
current employee. Any operator who requests information concerning an13
individual who is neither NOT a current employee nor OR an applicant for14
employment commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as15
provided in section 18-1.3-501. Within ten TWENTY days after the16
operator's request, the state department of human services or department17
of early childhood shall provide the date of the report of the incident, the18
location of investigation, the type of abuse and neglect, and the county19
that investigated the incident contained in the confirmed reports of child20
abuse and neglect. Any operator who releases any information obtained21
under PURSUANT TO this subsection (2)(k) to any other person violates the22
provisions of subsection (4) of this section and is subject to the penalty23
therefor COMMITS A CLASS 2 MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED24
PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-1.3-501.25
(k.5)  The state department of human services or department of26
early childhood, when requested in writing by a qualified county27
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-19- department, individual, or child placement agency approved to conduct1
home study investigations and reports pursuant to section 19-5-207.52
(2)(b)(I) for purposes of screening a prospective adoptive parent or any3
adult residing in the home under PURSUANT TO section 19-5-207 (2.5)(c),4
or investigating a prospective foster care parent, kinship care parent, or5
an adult residing in the home under PURSUANT TO section 26-6-9126
(1)(c). Within ten TWENTY days after the request, the state department of7
human services or department of early childhood shall provide the date8
of the report of the incident, the location of investigation, the type of9
abuse and neglect, and the county that investigated the incident contained10
in the confirmed reports of child abuse or neglect. The county11
department, individual, or child placement agency is subject to the fee12
assessment established in subsection (2.5) of this section. With respect13
to screening a prospective adoptive parent, any employee of the county14
department or the child placement agency or any individual who releases15
any information obtained pursuant to this subsection (2)(k.5) to any16
person other than the adoption court violates the provisions of subsection17
(4) of this section and is subject to the penalty therefor COMMITS A CLASS18
2
 MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION19
18-1.3-501.20
(l)  The state department of human services or department of early21
childhood, when requested in writing by the department of education to22
check records or reports of child abuse or neglect for the purpose of23
aiding the department of education in its investigation of an allegation of24
abuse by an employee of a school district in this state. Within ten
25
TWENTY days of AFTER the department of education's request, the state26
department of human services or department of early childhood shall27
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-20- provide the date of the report of the incident, the location of1
investigation, the type of abuse or neglect, and the county that2
investigated the incident contained in the confirmed reports of child3
abuse or neglect. The department of education is subject to the fee4
assessment established in subsection (2.5) of this section. Any employee5
of the department of education who releases any information obtained6
under this subsection (2)(l) to any person not authorized to receive the7
information pursuant to the provisions of section 22-32-109.7 or any8
member of the board of education of a school district who releases the9
information obtained pursuant to said section violates the provisions of10
subsection (4) of this section and is subject to the penalty for the violation11
SECTION 22-32-109.7 COMMITS A CLASS 2 MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE12
PUNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-1.3-501.13
(r)  The department of early childhood, 
WHEN REQUESTED IN14
WRITING BY ANY OPERATOR OF A GUEST CHILD CARE FACILITY OR PUBLIC15
SERVICE SHORT-TERM CHILD CARE FACILITY THAT IS investigating an16
applicant for a supervisory employee position or an employee of a guest17
child care facility or a public services short-term child care facility18
pursuant to section 26.5-5-307, when the applicant or employee, as a19
requirement of application for employment, has given written20
authorization to the department of early childhood to check records or21
reports of child abuse or neglect. A
NY OPERATOR WHO REQUESTS22
INFORMATION CONCERNING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS NOT A CURRENT23
EMPLOYEE OR AN APPLICANT FOR EMPLOYMENT COMMITS A CLASS 224
MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION25
18-1.3-501.
 WITHIN TWENTY DAYS AFTER THE OPERATOR 'S REQUEST, THE26
DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SHALL PROVIDE THE DATE OF THE27
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-21- REPORT OF THE INCIDENT, THE LOCATION OF INVESTIGATION, THE TYPE OF1
ABUSE AND NEGLECT , AND THE COUNTY THAT INVESTIGATED THE2
INCIDENT CONTAINED IN THE CONFIRMED REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND3
NEGLECT.4
(y)  The state department of human services, or department of5
early childhood, 
OR A REQUESTING INDIVIDUAL , OR THE INDIVIDUAL'S6
DESIGNEE, AFTER PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION, when requested in writing7
by an individual
 to check records or reports of child abuse or neglect OF8
THE REQUESTING INDIVIDUAL for the purpose of screening that THE9
REQUESTING individual when that THE REQUESTING individual's10
responsibilities include care of children, treatment of children,11
supervision of children, or unsupervised contact with children.12
SECTION 21. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-2206, amend13
(2)(a) introductory portion, (2)(a)(XII), and (2)(a)(XIII); and add14
(2)(a)(XIV) as follows:15
25-4-2206.  Health equity commission - creation - repeal.16
(2) (a)  The commission consists of the following twenty-two17
TWENTY-THREE members, who are as follows:18
(XII)  The executive director of the department of corrections, or19
the executive director's designee; and20
(XIII)  The executive director of the department of higher21
education, or the executive director's designee; 
AND22
(XIV)  T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY23
CHILDHOOD, OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE.24
SECTION 22. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,25
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate26
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.27
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