HB 24-1031

HB 24-1031, known as the "Accessibility for Persons in Child Welfare Matters," ensures that children and their families receive services in a language they understand when dealing with Colorado's child welfare system. This includes providing translation and interpretation services during court proceedings if needed. The bill also requires courts to consider language access programs when making decisions about what’s best for the child. It was signed into law by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, meaning that starting from this date, these provisions must be followed by county departments, cities, and private contractors involved in providing services related to child welfare.

Official Summary

The act requires that certain services provided to children or their families comply with the provisions of Title VI of the federal "Civil Rights Act of 1964" if they are provided by a county department of human or social services (county department), city and county, or a private-entity contractor. Furthermore, the act requires that the county department, city and county, or private-entity contractor take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful language access to services in the person's primary language for a person with limited English proficiency, in a timely manner and without unreasonable delay. The act requires a court to provide language access, including translation and interpretation services, to a child, parent, guardian, custodian, or other party in a dependency and neglect case if the person requests language access or has limited English proficiency. The act requires that during a dispositional hearing concerning the best interests of a child, the court consider services and programs that provide the parent and child with language access and effective communication. The act appropriates $74,953 from the judicial stabilization cash fund to the judicial department to implement the act. APPROVED by Governor June 3, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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