HB 18-1044

HB 18-1044, also known as the Colorado Children's Trust Fund Act, aims to prevent child maltreatment and fatalities by expanding the board’s membership from 9 to 21 members. This expansion allows for a broader approach in addressing issues like prenatal drug exposure and other adverse childhood experiences. The bill also increases the board's responsibilities to include advising on prevention strategies and monitoring programs that reduce child maltreatment. Signed into law, this act supports grants for programs focused on preventing child abuse and ensuring safer environments for children.

Official Summary

The bill amends current statutory language in the 'Colorado Children's Trust Fund Act' to place a greater priority on preventing child maltreatment fatalities and continuing to prevent child maltreatment. This includes reducing the occurrence of prenatal drug exposure and drug endangerment and reducing the occurrence of other adverse childhood experiences. The current membership of the Colorado children's trust fund board (board) is increased from 9 members to 21 members, to reflect a broader approach to child maltreatment prevention issues. Duties and powers of the board are expanded to include: Advising and making recommendations to the governor, state agencies, and other entities concerning child maltreatment prevention; Developing strategies and monitoring efforts to decrease incidences of child maltreatment, child maltreatment fatalities, and other adverse childhood experiences; and Monitoring and implementing, as appropriate, the ongoing development and implementation of programs and factors that affect work in the area of childhood maltreatment. The bill expands the accepted uses for grants from the Colorado children's trust fund to include programs working to reduce the incidence of child maltreatment fatalities, child maltreatment, and other adverse childhood experiences. The repeal date for the act is extended from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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