HB 17-1301

House Bill 17-1301, which has been signed into law, stops schools and school districts from withholding students' academic records or transcripts because of unpaid fines or fees, such as library fines. This means that even if a student owes money for lost books or other reasons, their grades and transcripts cannot be held back, ensuring they can still transfer to another school or college without issues. The bill affects all public schools, charter schools, and institutions under the Board of Cooperative Services in Colorado. Since it has been signed, this law is now active and protects students from academic record withholding due to financial debts to their educational institution.

Official Summary

The bill removes the authority of a board of education of a school district, a charter school, an institute charter school, and a school operated by a board of cooperative services (local education provider) to withhold records required for enrollment in another school or institution of higher education or a student's grades, transcripts, or diploma for failure to pay any fine or fee assessed by the local education provider, to return or replace textbooks or library resources, or to return other school property. The local education provider shall make reasonable efforts to obtain payment of an assessed fee or fine or payment for lost or damaged textbooks, library resources, or other school property. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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