Senator Michaelson Jenet, primary bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 25-151, which requires the Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman (CPO) to contract with an institution of higher education or a third-party to create a runaway risk assessment tool, plan a statewide data platform for collecting data on children or youth who run away from facilities, and conduct an inventory survey of the physical infrastructure needs of the state’s residential child care facilities. The CPO must report on activities by June 1, 2026. By July 1, 2026, each residential childcare facility must develop a policy that outlines how they respond to a child or youth who threatens or attempts to run away. They must provide a copy of the policy to guardians during intake at the facility. Facilities must notify guardians within 24 hours after discovering that a youth is missing.

Senator Michaelson Jenet discussed a memorandum that was distributed to the committee (Attachment A).