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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB26-1227

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Mar 4, 2026       Location HCR 0112

HB26-1227 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations
05:22:31 PM  
The committee was placed in a brief recess.
05:24:55 PM  
The committee came back to order.
05:25:09 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Gilchrist and Bradfield, introduced House Bill 26-1227 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. This bill clarifies that children and youth involved in dependency and neglect cases have legal standing on all matters affecting their interests, have the right to have their interests fully represented by a guardian ad litem (GAL) or counsel for youth (CFY), and have the right to participate in all proceedings, including appeals. The bill also allows a child or youth, through their GAL or CFY, to pursue a determination of whether they are dependent or neglected if the county seeks to dismiss the case before a ruling.
05:35:10 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
05:44:58 PM  
Chris Henderson, 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. Mr. Samuel Stephenson, representing Office of the Child's Representative Colorado Springs, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Theresa McMeekin, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment N).
05:55:26 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
06:03:16 PM  
Richard Polk, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Martha Wilson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified to amend the bill. Prescillia Wells, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Shawna Geiger, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified to amend the bill.

A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment O).
06:16:42 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
06:27:58 PM  
Amanda Schmitz, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified to amend the bill. Kelli Nagel, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified to amend the bill. Jena Fleiner, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified to amend the bill. Kaitlin Johnson, representing themself, testified to amend the bill. Jeanne Banghart, representing Boulder County, testified to amend the bill.
06:39:34 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
06:47:32 PM  
Ms. Iris Hentze, on behalf of Stephanie Villafuerte, representing Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman, testified in support of the bill. Sheri Danz, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jamee Ponko, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Nyomi Davis, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
06:58:15 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
07:01:11 PM  
Benjamin Teevan, representing Fostering Colorado and Colorado Association of Family & Children's Agencies, testified in support of the bill. Ashley Chase, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment P).
07:06:35 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
07:10:05 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment Q).

07:11:17 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment Q).
Moved Gilchrist
Seconded Bradfield
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
07:11:18 PM  

The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment R).

07:12:11 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment R).
Moved Bradfield
Seconded Gilchrist
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
07:12:12 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Gilchrist and Bradfield, provided closing comments.
07:17:55 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.

07:26:06 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 26-1227, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Gilchrist
Seconded Bradfield
Barron Yes
Bradfield Yes
Bradley No
English No
Feret Yes
Hamrick No
Johnson Yes
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Woog No
Lieder Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS