Colorado 2025 Bills

Demographic Notes For Certain Legislative Bills

HB 17-1191, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, requires legislative staff to prepare demographic notes for certain bills. These notes analyze how proposed laws might affect different groups of people in the state based on factors like race, gender, and income. Key leaders in the legislature can request up to five such notes per session, or more if approved by the director of research. The bill also mandates that government departments cooperate with this process by providing necessary information. This law aims to give lawmakers a clearer picture of how new laws might impact various populations across Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-17 · House

Legal Services For Department Of Education

Senate Bill 17-197, which has been signed into law, increases funding for legal services provided by the Colorado Department of Law specifically for the Department of Education. This means more money is available to help the education department with its legal needs during the 2016-17 fiscal year. The bill affects both departments and ensures they have adequate resources to handle legal matters related to education. Since it has been signed, this funding increase is now in effect.

Last action: 2017-02-17 · Senate

Private Marijuana Clubs Open And Public Use

Senate Bill 17-184 allows local communities in Colorado to permit private marijuana clubs if they choose to do so. These clubs can only operate under strict conditions, such as having members and employees who are at least 21 years old and prohibiting the sale of alcohol or marijuana on-site. The bill also bans open public consumption of marijuana throughout the state. Since it has been signed into law, these rules are now in effect for communities that opt to allow private marijuana clubs.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Recognizing Rocky Vista University

SJR 17-012 is a bill that officially recognizes Rocky Vista University, which means the state of Colorado now acknowledges this university and its credentials. This recognition affects students and graduates of Rocky Vista University by validating their degrees and potentially opening up more opportunities for them in the job market and further education. Since the status of the bill is "signed," it has been approved and enacted into law, meaning that Rocky Vista University's accreditation and legitimacy are now officially recognized by Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Residency Exemption Marijuana Education-based Occupational License

Senate Bill 17-187 allows non-residents to apply for occupational licenses related to marijuana workforce development or education programs in Colorado. This means that people who are participating in these specific training programs can get the necessary licenses even if they don't live in Colorado yet. The bill has been signed into law, so it is now active and being implemented by the state licensing authority.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Repeal Income Tax Credit Innovative Motor Vehicles

Senate Bill 17-188, which has been signed into law, removes income tax credits for people who buy or lease innovative motor vehicles and trucks starting from January 1, 2018. This means that those purchasing these types of vehicles will no longer receive a tax break they previously could have claimed. The money saved by not giving out these tax credits will be added to the highway users tax fund each year through 2020-21. Additionally, voters in Colorado will decide in November 2017 whether or not they approve of this change and its impact on state tax revenue.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Public Utilities Commission Streamlined Enforcement Of Motor Carriers

Senate Bill 17-180, which has been signed into law, aims to make it easier for the Public Utilities Commission to enforce rules on motor carriers. The bill allows the commission to impose fines more quickly and without needing to prove that violations were intentional. It also creates a fund using collected penalties to help cover legal costs related to enforcing these regulations. Additionally, the bill states that if a company doesn’t pay its fines, their operating permit can be revoked right away. This affects motor carriers who transport passengers, towed vehicles, and household goods in Colorado. Since it has been signed, the law is now in effect.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Engineers' Week

Senate Resolution 17-003, also known as "Engineers' Week," is a bill that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of engineers in Colorado. It doesn't change any laws but rather acknowledges the importance of engineering through an annual week-long celebration. Since it has been signed, this resolution is now official and will likely involve events or activities to highlight the role of engineers in the state each year. This affects all engineers and those interested in STEM fields within Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Health Coverage Prescription Contraceptives Supply

HB 17-1186 is a Colorado law that requires health insurance companies to cover and reimburse for prescription contraceptives at least three months' worth of supply. This means insured individuals can get their birth control prescriptions filled in larger quantities without additional out-of-pocket costs, starting from the first dispensing. The bill affects people with health insurance policies in Colorado who need contraceptive coverage. Since it has been signed into law, this requirement is now active and health insurers must comply with these rules.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · House

Retail Liquor Stores Additional Licenses

Senate Bill 17-195 updates Colorado's rules for retail liquor stores by allowing current store owners who are Colorado residents and have been licensed since January 1, 2017, to apply for additional licenses under certain conditions. These conditions include transferring ownership of two existing liquor licenses within the same area before getting a new one. The bill also sets limits on how close new liquor stores can be to each other based on population size and restricts self-service alcohol checkout. It requires employees under 21 years old not to handle alcohol and mandates age verification for customers buying alcohol. Since it has been signed, the changes are now law and affect existing and future retail liquor store owners in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Uninsured Motor Vehicle And Medical Coverage

Senate Bill 17-182, also known as Uninsured Motor Vehicle and Medical Coverage, clarifies how insurance companies handle payments for damages caused by crashes involving uninsured or underinsured drivers. It ensures that insurers don't have to pay more than the actual damage costs and allows them to limit stacking coverage from multiple policies within their own company but not across different companies. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now enforceable in Colorado. This affects anyone who holds uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in the state.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Reduce Regulatory Burden Rules On Businesses

Senate Bill 17-186 aims to ease regulatory burdens on small businesses in Colorado by adjusting how "small business" is defined under state law. The bill broadens the definition of a small business to include entities with fewer than 500 employees or less than $6 million in annual sales, and it requires government agencies to consider less stringent regulations when creating new rules that could affect these businesses. It also mandates that agencies consult with small business representatives during rule-making processes and provides resources for small businesses to access regulatory analyses online. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now enforceable and will impact how state agencies interact with and regulate small businesses in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Change Excess State Revenues Cap Growth Factor

House Bill 17-1187 changes how Colorado calculates its budget limit, allowing for a higher spending cap based on the state's income growth over the past five years instead of just inflation and population changes. This could mean more money available for the state to spend each year. The bill needs voter approval because it modifies an existing voter-approved law called Referendum C. As of now, the governor has signed this bill into law, meaning the proposed change is officially approved and will be put before voters for their final say in an upcoming election.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · House

Reports Of Suspected Child Abuse Or Neglect

House Bill 17-1185, also known as "Reports Of Suspected Child Abuse Or Neglect," expands the list of people who are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect. It includes officials and employees from county departments of health, human services, or social services in this group of mandatory reporters. Additionally, it extends the time frame for these agencies to provide reports and records related to a case from 30 days to 60 days. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now enforceable. This affects professionals working in health and human service departments who may come across cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · House

Insurance Carrier Fees Noncovered Dental Services

Senate Bill 17-190, which has been signed into law, stops insurance companies from forcing dentists to provide services at fees set by the company if those services aren't covered under a patient's policy or if the payment for these services is too low. The bill also allows dentists to charge patients directly for non-covered dental work at rates that are fair and no higher than what they would charge someone without insurance. This affects both dentists and people with dental insurance, ensuring more fairness in how fees are set for dental services.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Research Center Prevention Substance Abuse Addiction

Senate Bill 17-193 establishes a research center at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center focused on finding better ways to prevent substance abuse, treat addiction, and support recovery. The bill also provides funding for this initiative. This affects people dealing with or at risk of substance use disorders by potentially offering them more effective resources and treatments in the future. Since the status is "signed," it means that the governor has approved the bill, making its provisions official law.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Fee Limits For Solar Energy Device Installations

Senate Bill 17-179, which has been signed into law, extends and clarifies existing rules that limit how much local governments can charge for installing solar energy systems. This means counties, cities, and the state cannot impose high fees on people or companies looking to install solar devices, ensuring these costs remain reasonable. The bill also makes it clear that any additional fees related to solar installations must adhere to the same fee limits. This affects homeowners, businesses, and organizations interested in installing solar energy systems by protecting them from excessive charges. Since the bill has been signed, its provisions are now law and enforceable across Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

District Attorney Salary Compensation And PERA Public Employees' Retirement Association

Senate Bill 17-185, which has been signed into law, aims to improve compensation and retirement benefits for district attorneys and their staff in Colorado. The bill sets minimum salary standards for assistant district attorneys, chief deputy district attorneys, and deputy district attorneys based on the state public defender's office salaries. It also requires the state to cover a portion of these salaries over time, starting at lower percentages that increase after four years. Additionally, counties can opt to have assistant district attorneys join the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) defined benefit plan, with the state covering 80% and the county covering 20% of the employer contribution for this retirement plan. This bill affects all judicial districts in Colorado and aims to ensure fair compensation and benefits for those working in the district attorney's office.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Public Input And General Assembly Review Before New Nutrient Requirements

SJR 17-013 is a bill in Colorado that requires the government to seek public input and review by the General Assembly before setting new rules about nutrients in water. This means that any changes to how nutrient levels are managed will have to go through a process where people can give their opinions and lawmakers can discuss and approve them. Since the status of this bill is "signed," it has been approved and is now law, meaning these requirements for public input and review are currently in effect.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Collateral-Source Rule Evidence Of Insurance

Senate Bill 17-181 changes how insurance and other compensation sources are considered in personal injury lawsuits. Traditionally, juries don't know about these sources, but this bill allows evidence of them unless the plaintiff agrees to have their award reduced by either what they've received from or paid into those sources. However, if a defendant is convicted for repeat alcohol-related driving offenses causing injuries, the old rule still applies and no reductions are made based on collateral sources. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these changes will now be implemented in Colorado's legal system.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Market-based Interest Rates On Judgments

Senate Bill 17-191, which has been signed into law, changes how interest is calculated on judgments in Colorado. Currently, there's a minimum rate for post-judgment interest, but the bill removes this floor, meaning the interest rate can go below 8% if the Kansas City discount rate plus 2% falls below that threshold. Additionally, it aligns the specific higher interest rate for personal injury damages with the general post-judgment interest rate. This affects anyone involved in legal judgments and lawsuits in Colorado, particularly those related to personal injury cases. Since the bill has been signed, these changes are now law and will affect future court decisions involving interest rates on judgments.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Support USS Colorado Commissioning

Senate Bill 17-183 is a Colorado state law that provides $100,000 to support the USS Colorado, a nuclear submarine being commissioned into service. This funding will cover expenses for its commissioning ceremony, help raise awareness about the submarine within the state, and assist the crew members. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now active and the funds can be used as intended.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Exception To Deadlines Due To Refund-related Fraud

Senate Bill 17-194 allows the Colorado Department of Revenue more time to process income tax refunds if they suspect identity theft or other types of refund-related fraud. This means that if there's a suspicion of fraud, the department doesn't have to meet the usual deadlines for sending out refunds (14 days in January, 21 days in February, 28 days in March, and 45 days in April). The bill is now signed into law, so it will be implemented as intended. This affects taxpayers who might experience delays in receiving their refunds if fraud is suspected.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Marijuana Business Efficiency Measures

Senate Bill 17-192, also known as "Marijuana Business Efficiency Measures," allows Colorado's licensing authority to permit one-time transfers of marijuana products from retail sellers to medical dispensaries. This transfer must be completed within a month after approval and only applies if the retail license isn't under suspension or involved in an administrative hold. The bill also updates how the state calculates excise tax rates for marijuana sales, changing it from every six months to every quarter. It sets different average market rates for unprocessed marijuana intended for extraction versus direct sale, ensuring more precise taxation based on the type of product and whether transactions are between affiliated or unaffiliated businesses. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions have now taken effect in Colorado's regulatory framework for marijuana businesses.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Consumer Options In Fingerprint Background Checks

Senate Bill 17-189, also known as "Consumer Options in Fingerprint Background Checks," changes Colorado law by allowing approved third-party entities, not just law enforcement agencies, to take fingerprints for background checks. This means that people who need fingerprint-based background checks can now use these third parties, which may offer more convenient options and faster service. The bill ensures that the third parties only keep personal information temporarily unless requested otherwise. Since the status of this bill is "signed," it has been approved by both houses of the legislature and signed into law by the governor, meaning it's now enforceable in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-14 · Senate

Modern Technology Education In Public Schools

HB 17-1184, also known as Modern Technology Education In Public Schools, aims to update Colorado's academic standards by including skills related to modern technology and communication. This includes teaching students how to use technology effectively for tasks like finding information online and creating digital content. The bill also requires the Department of Education to create a resource bank with materials on computer science education, which schools can choose to use or not. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now in effect and school districts are expected to start incorporating these new standards and resources as appropriate.

Last action: 2017-02-13 · House

Mental Health Professional Disclosures Repeal Effect Clause

House Bill 17-1183, also known as the Mental Health Professional Disclosures Repeal Effect Clause, was passed to allow mental health professionals to share information with schools and law enforcement if a client poses a significant threat. However, because federal regulations under HIPAA do not require an exception for this sharing of information, the bill now removes any conditions that were tied to receiving approval from the federal government. This means that mental health professionals can proceed with sharing necessary information without waiting for additional federal clearance. The bill has been signed into law and is currently in effect.

Last action: 2017-02-13 · House

Required State Assessment For Ninth-grade Students

House Bill 17-1181 changes how ninth-grade students are tested in Colorado. Instead of taking the same state assessments that tenth-graders take, ninth-graders will now have a different test that matches what they learn in school and is aligned with the tenth-grade assessment. This new requirement means schools must give this special test to ninth graders during the spring semester. The bill has been signed into law, so these changes are now official and schools need to start following them.

Last action: 2017-02-10 · House

Charter School And District Student Revenue True Up

HB 17-1182, a Colorado bill that's now signed into law, deals with how money follows students when they switch between charter schools and traditional public schools within the same district or move to another district. If a student leaves a charter school mid-year for a regular public school, the charter school must give back some of its funding to the original school district based on how long the student was at the charter school. This law aims to ensure that school districts receive fair compensation when students transfer out of charter schools and into other public schools during the same budget year. It affects both charter schools and traditional public schools, ensuring funds are distributed accurately according to where students actually attend school.

Last action: 2017-02-10 · House

Children's Code Definition Of Special Respondent

Senate Bill 17-177, also known as the Children's Code Definition of Special Respondent, changes how certain people can be involved in child welfare cases. Currently, only specific parties can be forced to join a case about a child’s safety or well-being against their will. This bill updates the law to allow these parties to join such cases voluntarily if they wish to participate and support the child's needs. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official and enforceable in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-08 · Senate

Marijuana Use As A Condition Of Bond

Senate Bill 17-178, which has been signed into law, stops courts from requiring people with valid medical marijuana cards to abstain from using marijuana as a condition of their bond. This means that if someone is legally allowed to use medical marijuana, the court can't make them promise not to use it in order to get released before their trial. The law affects individuals who have medical marijuana registry identification cards and are involved in the legal system. Since the bill has been signed, it's now an active law in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-08 · Senate

Immunity For Emergency Rescue From Locked Vehicle

House Bill 17-1179, also known as "Immunity For Emergency Rescue From Locked Vehicle," provides legal protection for individuals who break into a locked car to rescue someone or an animal they believe is in immediate danger. To qualify for this immunity, the rescuer must ensure the vehicle isn't a police car, make reasonable efforts to find the owner and contact authorities before entering the vehicle, use only necessary force, stay with the rescued person or animal until help arrives, and leave their contact information if they need to depart early. This bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now enforceable in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-07 · House

Tuition Assistance For Certificate Programs

HB 17-1180 is a Colorado bill that expands tuition assistance for students enrolled in career and technical education certificate programs. The bill allows eligible students who don't meet the federal Pell Grant's credit hour requirements but do meet income eligibility standards set by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to receive financial help for their studies. This assistance can cover tuition, fees, and course materials. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now in effect and helps more students afford these specific certificate programs.

Last action: 2017-02-07 · House

Administrative Flexibility For School Districts

House Bill 17-1178, known as "Administrative Flexibility for School Districts," allows rural school districts in Colorado to hire nonlicensed individuals to fill vacant teacher positions when there's a critical shortage of licensed teachers. The district must first try to find a licensed teacher and then get approval from the board of education before hiring someone without a teaching license. Additionally, the bill provides these districts with a process to request waivers for certain rules or statutes if needed. This bill has been signed into law, meaning rural school districts can now implement these changes immediately.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Cure Campaign Finance Reporting Deficiencies

HB 17-1155 is a Colorado law that helps political committees fix mistakes in their campaign finance reports. If someone files a complaint about missing information in these reports, the Secretary of State sends an email to the committee explaining what needs to be corrected. The committee then has 15 business days to add the missing information and notify both the Secretary of State and the person who filed the complaint. If they fix everything on time, no penalties are imposed for those mistakes. However, if they don't correct the issues or can’t prove they tried their best to follow the rules, they could face daily fines starting at $50 per day. This law is now signed into practice and affects political committees in Colorado that need to comply with campaign finance reporting requirements.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Federal Mineral Lease District Investment Authority

HB 17-1152, also known as the Federal Mineral Lease District Investment Authority, allows a federal mineral lease district to invest part of its funding from local government mineral impact funds into an investment fund instead of distributing it all immediately. This bill gives the district flexibility in managing these funds by specifying that they can reserve some money for future use and invest it according to certain guidelines, with oversight from the board of directors. The status "signed" means that the governor has approved this bill, making its provisions official law.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Access Between Highways And Adjoining Businesses

House Bill 17-1166, which has been signed into law, aims to ensure that businesses have reasonable access to and from public highways. This means that when the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) develops rules for highway access, they must consider providing fair access for nearby businesses. If a business is denied access due to these rules and this denial would prevent them from operating effectively, it could be considered a taking under eminent domain laws, which might require compensation from the government. This bill affects both CDOT and local governments as well as any business located near public highways in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Charitable Solicitations Regulation

HB 17-1158, also known as the Charitable Solicitations Regulation bill, requires charitable organizations that solicit donations in Colorado to renew their registration annually with the secretary of state. If an organization fails to renew its registration or update its information within 30 days of any changes, it can no longer continue soliciting funds. The bill also extends the time for requesting a hearing if the secretary of state denies, suspends, or revokes a registration from 5 to 30 days and imposes fines on organizations that fail to file their financial reports accurately. This bill was signed into law and went into effect on October 1, 2018, impacting how charitable organizations operate in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Mediation For Disputes Arising Under CORA Colorado Open Records Act

HB 17-1177 changes how people can access records under Colorado's Open Records Act (CORA). Instead of needing to file a court application right away if they're denied access to a record, the bill gives them 14 days to try and resolve the issue directly with the custodian who has the record. During this period, both parties must attempt mediation or another form of dispute resolution unless there's an urgent need for the records. If it’s urgent, people can still go straight to court but must explain why they need the information quickly. The bill is now signed into law, meaning these changes are officially in effect and will impact anyone trying to access public records under CORA.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Outstanding Judgments And Driver's Licenses

HB 17-1162, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, changes how people are penalized for driving with an outstanding judgment against them. Instead of facing misdemeanor charges which could lead to up to six months in jail and a $500 fine, individuals will now face lesser penalties called class A traffic infractions. This change affects drivers who have unpaid judgments, such as overdue child support or other legal debts. The bill is now law after being signed by the governor, meaning it has practical implications for anyone with an outstanding judgment who gets caught driving without a valid license due to that judgment.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Bank And Credit Union Reliance On A Certificate Of Trust

House Bill 17-1157, which has been signed into law, updates how banks and credit unions handle trust accounts. It requires trustees to include more information in a certificate of trust when opening or managing these accounts. This means that financial institutions can rely on the accuracy of this document for transactions unless they have specific knowledge that contradicts what's stated in it. The bill applies to both banks and credit unions, making their processes more consistent regarding trust account management.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Department Of Regulatory Agencies Boards Disciplinary Action Resolution Process

HB 17-1165, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, aims to improve how healthcare prescriber boards handle complaints. It requires these boards to inform complainants about the status of their cases more frequently and ensures patients can get copies of their medical records from the healthcare provider they are complaining about. Additionally, it mandates health insurance companies to update their lists of approved providers monthly based on information from these boards, removing those whose licenses have been suspended or revoked. This law affects anyone who files a complaint against a healthcare provider in Colorado and all health insurance companies operating in the state. Since the bill has been signed, its provisions are now enforceable by law.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Penalties For Child Sex Traffickers

House Bill 17-1172, which has been signed into law, mandates that anyone convicted of a class 2 felony for sexually trafficking a minor must receive a prison sentence of at least 8 years. This bill targets individuals who exploit minors through sexual servitude and ensures they face significant legal consequences. The law is now in effect, meaning courts are required to impose these minimum sentences on offenders.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Highway Congestion Mitigation

House Bill 17-1153, also known as the Highway Congestion Mitigation bill, aims to ease traffic congestion on Interstate 25 between Castle Rock and Monument by prioritizing projects that expand highway capacity. The bill clarifies rules for carpool lanes (HOV) and toll lanes (HOT), allowing vehicles with two or more people to use HOV lanes without paying a toll, while solo drivers must pay to use HOT lanes. It also mandates the Colorado Department of Transportation to expedite funding and environmental studies for these expansion projects within six months of the bill's signing. Since it has been signed into law, these changes are now in effect and will impact how traffic management operates on this stretch of highway.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Exempt Rural Telecommunications Local Improvement District Requirements

HB 17-1174 is a Colorado bill that allows rural counties with fewer than 50,000 people to create local improvement districts to fund better internet or phone services in areas that currently lack these services. This means the county can work with telecommunications companies to build and maintain advanced service infrastructure, which would be owned and operated by those companies. The bill has been signed into law, so rural counties can now use this method to improve access to essential communication services for their residents.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Electrical Assisted Bicycles Regulation Operation

House Bill 17-1151, also known as the Electrical Assisted Bicycles Regulation Operation bill, categorizes electric bicycles into three classes based on their speed and motor assistance. It requires manufacturers to label these bikes correctly and ensures they meet federal safety standards. The bill also gives local governments the power to decide where certain types of electric bikes can be ridden, sets age restrictions for riding class 3 electric bikes, and mandates helmet use for riders under 18 years old on class 3 bikes. Since the bill has been signed into law, these regulations are now in effect across Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Kindergarten Through Third Grade English Learner Reading Assessment Language

HB 17-1160, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, allows schools to decide whether English language learners in kindergarten through third grade should take reading tests in English or their native language if such an option is available. Schools can also give the test in both languages if parents request it. The law requires schools to inform parents about when their child will start taking the English version of the test based on how well they know English. This bill affects students who are learning English and their families, providing more flexibility in how these young learners are assessed.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

PERA Public Employees' Retirement Association Retirees Employed By Rural School Districts

HB 17-1176 is a Colorado bill that allows retired public employees, specifically teachers, school bus drivers, and food service workers from rural school districts with fewer than 6,500 students, to return to work without losing their retirement benefits if there's a critical shortage of qualified staff. This applies only if the retiree hasn't worked for any PERA (Public Employees' Retirement Association) employer in the month they retired and if the district determines that the retiree has specific skills needed. The bill also requires the school districts to pay full contributions to PERA on behalf of these retirees, who can work without benefit reductions for up to six consecutive years but cannot be rehired by their previous district until two years after retirement under certain conditions. Since it's signed into law, this means that rural schools facing staff shortages now have more flexibility in hiring retired personnel to help fill critical roles.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Domestic Violence Awareness Barbers Cosmetologists

House Bill 17-1175 requires hair and beauty professionals like barbers, hairstylists, cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians in Colorado to complete a one-hour training course on recognizing signs of domestic violence and sexual assault when they renew their professional licenses. This training is meant to raise awareness but does not require these professionals to report any suspicions of abuse; instead, it protects them from legal consequences if they choose to report or don't report such incidents. The bill has been signed into law, meaning hair and beauty professionals will now be required to complete this training as part of their license renewal process.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House

Prohibits Conversion Therapy Mental Health Provider

House Bill 17-1156, which has been signed into law in Colorado, bans mental health professionals and psychiatrists from performing conversion therapy on patients under the age of 18. Conversion therapy is a practice that aims to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, often causing significant harm. The law ensures that these healthcare providers face disciplinary action if they violate this ban. This legislation protects young people from harmful practices by mental health professionals and psychiatrists in Colorado.

Last action: 2017-02-06 · House