HB 24-1408

House Bill 24-1408 ensures that Colorado's programs for relative guardianship and adoption assistance are considered entitlement programs, meaning eligible families will receive support. The state is allowed to spend extra funds if needed to cover these costs. The bill also requires the Department of Human Services to report annually on how much money is being spent and how many cases there are each year. For fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25, it allocates millions from both state and federal funds to support these programs. This bill has been signed into law by the governor and took effect on April 29, 2024.

Official Summary

The act clarifies that the relative guardianship assistance program for children and youth and the adoption assistance program (programs) are entitlement programs. The state controller is authorized to allow overexpenditures for the programs. The act requires the department of human services (department) to report to the joint budget committee annually regarding actual and projected caseloads and expenditures for the programs. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $4,914,849 from the general fund and local funds to the department for use by the division of child welfare (division) for the programs. It is anticipated that the department will also receive $12,101,247 in federal funds. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $5,662,305 from the general fund and local funds to the department for use by the division for the programs. It is anticipated that the department will also receive $12,914,803 in federal funds. APPROVED by Governor April 29, 2024 EFFECTIVE April 29, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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