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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB24-202

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Apr 18, 2024       Location SCR 357

SB24-202 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole
03:37:54 PM  
Senator Fields, primary bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 24-202. Currently, when a child is placed with a public agency, a court order must require the child’s parent to pay a fee that covers the costs of a guardian ad litem and residential care for the child, with the fee based on their ability to pay. The bill removes the requirement for a court order for this fee, and instead allows a delegate child support enforcement unit to impose the fee when approved by a county child welfare unit. It also removes the requirement that the fee be based on the parent’s ability to pay and that the payment must cover the costs of a guardian ad litem.

The bill also affects the assignment of child support for foster care. Current law requires the Department of Human Services to reimburse for child support for the out-of-home placement costs for children placed in foster care. The bill restricts these assignments to current child support obligations only, excluding previously accrued amounts. Additionally, a child support enforcement unit can enforce these child support obligations, if a county child welfare unit determines a referral is appropriate.
03:43:47 PM  
Ms. Korey Elger, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill. Ashley Chase, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill. Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Larry Desbien, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill. Committee members asked the panel questions.
04:01:27 PM  
Marla Fernandez, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
04:04:01 PM  
The primary bill sponsor provided closing remarks.

04:05:41 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-202 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Fields
Seconded
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Lundeen Excused
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Mullica Yes
Rich No
Will No
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 2   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS