SB 22-182

Senate Bill 22-182, also known as the Economic Mobility Program, aims to help students in Colorado access public benefits through an online platform and improve health and educational outcomes for those living in poverty. The bill allocates $4 million from the state's economic recovery fund to create a new program within the Department of Public Health and Environment, which will focus on reducing poverty and enhancing economic opportunities for Coloradans. Additionally, it provides funding for maternal and child health services and an online platform that helps students access benefits. Since the bill has been signed into law, these initiatives are now in effect or being implemented by state agencies.

Official Summary

Section 1 of the act requires the department of higher education to contract for and facilitate use of an online platform by public or private institutions of higher education in the state to assist students accessing public benefits (online platform). Section 2 creates the economic mobility program within the department of public health and environment and requires the department to develop and implement the program to improve health and educational outcomes associated with reduced poverty and improved economic mobility for Coloradans. To fund the program, the economic mobility program fund (fund) is created and $4 million is transferred to the fund from the economic recovery and relief cash fund. For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, $1,720,060 is appropriated from the fund to the department of public health and environment for use by the prevention services division for maternal and child health and administration and $171,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the department of education for the online platform. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes