HB 23-1235

House Bill 23-1235 in Colorado makes several technical updates to the state’s early childhood programs. It clarifies how the Department of Early Childhood can receive and use gifts, grants, and donations more uniformly, allows the department to contract with organizations for literacy programs and child support services, and adds new members to advisory boards like the health equity commission. The bill also simplifies reporting requirements and updates background check procedures to match current standards. This bill was signed into law by the governor on June 7, 2023, and took effect immediately on that same day.

Official Summary

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 department. The act makes technical changes to title 26.5 and related statutes, including: Updates language regarding gifts, grants, and donations to achieve statutory uniformity; Allows the department to enter into a contract with an organization to provide early literacy programming and related supports 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. APPROVED by Governor June 7, 2023 EFFECTIVE June 7, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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