297F5896E65CB95B872583D8006B7D3A Hearing Summary

The chair made opening remarks about the hearing.

Senator Coram and Senator Rodriguez, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1232 to the committee.  This bill aligns state law with the updated federal guidelines under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).  Changes include placing affirmative duty on the court to make an inquiry into whether a child is subject the ICWA; allowing the petitioning party to use certified mail, instead of registered mail; requiring any response by tribal agents to be distributed to all parties and the court; and changing guidelines for how the court determines if the child is an Indian child.

Judge Brett Woods, representing Denver Juvenile Court, testified in support of the bill.

Jenn Collins, representing Denver Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Kathryn Redhorse, representing the Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Cara Nord, representing the Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.

The committee discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment A).