HB 22-1168

House Bill 22-1168 in Colorado allows seventh-grade students to take a hunter education course through their schools. The course is optional and must be taught by certified instructors who offer approved hunter education programs. Parents need to give permission for any hands-on activities, but these are not required for the course completion. This bill has been signed into law, meaning that school districts can now implement this program if they choose to partner with certified hunting education providers.

Official Summary

The act allows local education providers, upon entering into an agreement with an individual or entity that offers hunter education courses certified by the division of parks and wildlife (division), to provide a hunter education course (course) to all seventh graders. The act does not preclude a local education provider from offering hunter education courses as an elective course in any other grade. The course must satisfy the requirements of a hunter education course certified by the division; except that hands-on activities are not required. The course must be taught by a division-certified instructor. A parent or legal guardian must provide permission for a student to participate in any hands-on activities that are offered as part of the course. A hunter education course shall only allow the possession of inert firearms and dummy rounds on the grounds of any elementary, middle, junior high, or high school. The act defines local education providers to mean school districts, charter schools, and boards of cooperative services that enroll students in seventh grade. The parks and wildlife commission may accept completion of a course toward meeting the requirements of a hunter education certificate. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes