Senators Zenzinger and Rankin, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 21-1094 and responded to questions. The bill creates the foster youth in transition program (transition program) in the state department of human services (state department) to be implemented in county departments of human or social services (county departments) throughout the state. The purpose of the transition program is to allow foster youth who meet eligibility criteria to voluntarily continue to receive certain child welfare services (services) up until the last day of the month of the youth's twenty-first birthday, or such greater age of foster care eligibility as required by federal law. Services provided through the transition program must be client-directed and developmentally appropriate as set forth in and agreed to through a voluntary services agreement (agreement) developed and entered into between the youth and county department.

Ashley Chase, Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Betsy Fordyce, Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Samantha Little, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms Isadora Cruz, Court Appointed Special Advocates, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kippi Clausen, Colorado Rural Collaborative for Homeless Youth, testified in support of the bill.

Lonni Woodruff, Metropolitan State University Denver, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Williams responded to questions.

Benjamin Waters, Fostering Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Becky  Updike, representing Colorado Associations of Families and Childrens Agencies (CAFCA), testified in support of the bill.

Committee members commented about the bill.