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PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB25-1200

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Feb 25, 2025       Location HCR 0112

HB25-1200 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


02:15:59 PM  
The primary bill sponsor, Representative Feret, introduced House Bill 25-1200 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill reorganizes and updates the statutes governing the Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman (CPO). It clarifies the definition of “complaint” and when the CPO may receive and conduct an investigation of complaints concerning child protection services. It also specifies that the CPO must comply with all state and federal confidentiality laws. The bill outlines their ability to request and access necessary information during investigations, access child welfare systems, and physically access residential child care facilities and other youth facilities operated by the Department of Human Services (CDHS) in response to requests received by the CPO. Additionally, the CPO must create and distribute information about its role and complaint process, which residential child care facilities must display. The CPO must report annually on its outreach efforts to these facilities and other CDHS-operated facilities.
02:18:34 PM  
Stephanie Villafuerte, representing Child Protection Ombudsman's Office, testified in support of the bill. Jordan Steffen, representing United States Ombudsman Association, testified in support of the bill. Ashley Chase, representing Office of the Child’s Representative, testified in support of the bill. Tori Shuler, representing Fostering Great Ideas, testified in support of the bill.
02:29:15 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
02:30:55 PM  
Amy Ferrin, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill. Riti Chikkerur, representing Our Children Matter Most Inc., testified to amend the bill. Carl Roberts, representing Colorado Resilience, testified to amend the bill. Rosemary Van Gorder, representing themself, testified to amend the bill. Yolanda Arredondo, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, was available to answer committee questions.

A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment E).

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment F).
02:37:28 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee
02:39:59 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.
02:43:17 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.

02:45:47 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 25-1200 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Feret
Seconded Garcia Sander
Bradley Yes
Brooks Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Garcia Sander Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson Yes
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Lieder Yes
Brown Yes
Final YES: 13   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS