HB 26-1141

HB 26-1141, a Colorado law that has been signed into effect, prohibits public schools and higher education institutions from discriminating against students based on various characteristics including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. This means schools can't deny access or benefits to students because of these factors. If someone feels they've been treated unfairly, they can file a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, which may lead to mediation or an investigation if necessary. The law also requires higher education institutions to have a designated coordinator for Title VI compliance, ensuring adherence to federal civil rights laws related to discrimination in educational programs and activities.

Official Summary

The act clarifies that an educational institution denies a person the full and equal enjoyment of a place of public accommodation when the educational institution:On the basis of a protected class, excludes a student from participation in, denies a student the benefits of, or otherwise subjects a student to discrimination in any of the educational institution's programs or activities;Denies educational services, benefits, or opportunities to a student or group of students by treating them differently from a similarly situated student who is, or group of students who are, part of a different subgroup of students within the same protected class; orHas actual notice that a hostile environment based on a protected class exists at the educational institution but fails to take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to eliminate the hostile environment, end the harassment that gave rise to the hostile environment, and prevent the harassment from recurring.     The act adds pregnancy and parental status as characteristics that may constitute a protected class for the purpose of 'harassment or discrimination' at an elementary or secondary public school.     The act requires each public institution of higher education (institution) to designate an individual to serve as the Title VI coordinator for the institution. The Title VI coordinator is responsible for ensuring the institution's compliance with the requirements of Title VI of the federal 'Civil Rights Act of 1964', enforcing the institution's Title VI grievance procedures, identifying institutional issues related to Title VI compliance, and aggregating and making publicly available data about alleged violations of Title VI at the institution.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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