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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB25-1204

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Mar 4, 2025       Location HCR 0112

HB25-1204 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations
11:31:51 AM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Duran and Joseph, introduced House Bill 25-1204 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill codifies the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 into state statute as the Colorado Indian Child Welfare Act, which provides the minimum federal standards and protections for the removal and placement of Indian children in homes. It also provides additional protections for Indian children under state law. For court proceedings involving Indian children, the bill outlines court procedures for determining a child's tribal membership, ensuring tribal participation in proceedings, and prioritizing placement preferences with family and tribe members. The bill requires active efforts in verifying a child’s tribal status, requires providing notice to parents and tribes, and provides guidelines for emergency hearings involving Indian children. It recognizes tribal jurisdiction over cases involving Indian children, ensures court-appointed counsel for indigent families, and allows the state to enter into and revise agreements with tribes regarding child welfare cases. The bill also requires the Judicial Department and Department of Human Services to report certain information on Indian children by September 15, 2027, and every odd year after.
11:36:17 AM  
Mr. Melvin Baker, Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, testified in support of the bill.
11:44:06 AM  
Korey Elger, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill. Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. Lacey Psterloh, representing Colorado Children's Alliance - Four Corners Child Advocacy Center, testified in support of the bill.
11:51:48 AM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
12:00:19 PM  
Mr. Kendall Marlowe, representing Kempe Foundation, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jack Trope, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Anna Ulrich, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Elaine Castillo, representing the Office of Respondent Parents' Council, testified in support of the bill.
12:10:50 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
12:13:57 PM  

Brittani Lopez, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Monycka Snowbird, representing Haseya Advocate Program and the MMIR Task Force of CO, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Molly Ryan, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mariah Cook, representing the Mountain Ute Tribe, testified in support of the bill.
12:23:37 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
12:27:03 PM  
Ms. Jennifer Collins, representing City and County of Denver, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Richard Uhrlaub, representing Asrc, testified to amend the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment A).
12:32:09 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment B).
12:35:34 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment C).
12:35:40 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions about L.002.

12:36:27 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C).
Moved Lieder
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection

12:36:59 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B).
Moved Lieder
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
12:37:00 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.
12:37:36 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.

12:39:43 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1204, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Lieder
Seconded Stewart K.
Bradfield Yes
Bradley 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