Background Checks for Child Welfare Placements
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects |
Concerning the authority for criminal background checks for child welfare out-of-home placement providers, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
Bill Summary:
Under current law, background checks are required for all individuals who provide out-of-home care for child-welfare-involved youth. Current law does not comply with the federal bureau of investigation's (FBI) standards for background checks, and the FBI granted Colorado a temporary grace period to allow Colorado to perform these background checks through the FBI. The temporary grace period ends May 2026.
The bill revises statutory provisions to give counties and the Colorado department of human services the statutory authority needed to conduct the required background checks in accordance with the FBI's standards.
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
Committees
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Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 03/13/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer House Bill 26-1298 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer House Bill 26-1298 to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 6-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment J.001 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer House Bill 26-1298, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 11-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment K). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer House Bill 26-1298, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 13-0. | Vote summary |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/21/2026 | Third Reading | BILL |
63
AYE
0
NO
2
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 05/08/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 05/08/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 05/07/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to Appropriations |
| 04/24/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
| 04/21/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/20/2026 | House | House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 04/17/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor |
| 04/17/2026 | House | House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 03/17/2026 | House | House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations |
| 02/25/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
Prime Sponsor
Sponsor