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April 16, 2024 SB 24-202
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 24-0788
Sen. Fields
Rep. Joseph
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
April 16, 2024
Senate Health & Human Services
Shukria Maktabi | 303-866-4720
shukria.maktabi@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: ASSIGNMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT FOSTER YOUTH
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☐ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☐ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill modifies child placement fees and the assignment of child support for
children in foster care. It minimally impacts state workload beginning in FY 2024-25.
Appropriation
Summary:
No appropriation is required.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Summary of Legislation
Currently, when a child is placed with a public agency, a court order must require the child’s
parent to pay a fee that covers the costs of a guardian ad litem and residential care for the child,
with the fee based on their ability to pay. The bill removes the requirement for a court order for
this fee, and instead allows a delegate child support enforcement unit to impose the fee when
approved by a county child welfare unit. It also removes the requirement that the fee be based
on the parent’s ability to pay and that the payment must cover the costs of a guardian ad litem.
The bill also affects the assignment of child support for foster care. Current law requires the
Department of Human Services (CDHS) to reimburse for child support for the out-of-home
placement costs for children placed in foster care. The bill restricts these assignments to current
child support obligations only, excluding previously accrued amounts. Additionally, a child
support enforcement unit can enforce these child support obligations, if a county child welfare
unit determines a referral is appropriate.
State Expenditures
According to the CDHS, current rules already align with the requirements of the bill. Therefore,
the bill is not expected to significantly impact the operations of CDHS or county child welfare
agencies. Starting in FY 2024-25, workload may decrease in the trial courts to the extent there
are fewer orders for child support for children in foster care. These impacts are expected to be
minimal. For informational purposes, there has been, on average, about 2,864 cases filings per
year regarding child support for children in the child welfare system. Page 2
April 16, 2024 SB 24-202
Effective Date
The bill takes effect upon signature of the Governor, or upon becoming law without his
signature.
State and Local Government Contacts
Child Welfare Counties Human Services
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit the General Assembly website.