HB 25-1018

House Bill 25-1018, also known as the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Act, changes how Colorado provides support for people with disabilities who need help finding or keeping a job. The bill removes requirements that individuals must show financial need or contribute to the cost of their services, making it easier for more people to get assistance. It also allows the state to manage waitlists by considering financial resources when deciding who gets services during times of limited funding. Since the governor signed this bill into law, these changes are now in effect and will impact anyone applying for vocational rehabilitation services in Colorado.

Official Summary

The act makes the following changes to current law regarding individuals to whom the department of labor and employment (department) provides vocational rehabilitation services (services): Eliminates the requirement that an individual with a disability requires financial assistance to participate; Allows the department to consider financial need before providing services during a period of cost containment to prevent or manage a wait list for services due to insufficient financial resources; Eliminates the requirement that an individual with a disability, or the individual's legally and financially responsible relative, must contribute toward the cost of their services to the extent that they are financially able; and To align Colorado law with federal law, eliminates the requirement that the department provide services only to individuals who are present in the state at the time of filing an application for the services and can satisfactorily achieve rehabilitation.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes