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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB26-1347

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Apr 15, 2026       Location HCR 0112

HB26-1347 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations
07:09:15 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Gilchrist and Brown, introduced House Bill 26-1347 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. This bill requires county department of human services to apply for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on behalf of children and youth in foster care. Beginning on or before July 1, 2028, when a county department of human services makes a finding of substantiated abuse or neglect, it must refer the child or youth for a development screening within 45 days of out-of-home placement. If the screening indicates the child may be eligible for SSI, the county must initiate the application process within 45 days of that determination. When a child is enrolled in the Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver, the county must apply for SSI on the child’s behalf.
07:17:03 PM  
Ms. Mariana Pino, representing Raise the Future, testified in support of the bill. Zach Neeley, representing Be The Source, testified in support of the bill. Benjamin Teevan, on behalf of Alicia Economos, representing Fostering Colorado & Colorado Association of Family & Children's Agencies, testified in support of the bill.
07:23:32 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
07:25:43 PM  
Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Sonja Ornelas, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, was available to answer committee questions. Ashley Chase, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill. Summer Laws, representing Boulder County, testified to amend the bill. Kevin Neimond, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in a neutral position on the bill.
07:34:58 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
07:37:52 PM  
Jennifer Mello, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Tori Shuler, representing Fostering Great Ideas, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment B).
07:43:43 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment C).

07:46:12 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C).
Moved Gilchrist
Seconded Feret
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Weinberg
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
07:46:13 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment D).

07:47:06 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D).
Moved Gilchrist
Seconded Stewart K.
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Weinberg
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
07:47:10 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.003 (Attachment E).

07:48:11 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment E).
Moved Gilchrist
Seconded Lieder
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Weinberg
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
07:48:26 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Gilchrist and Brown, provided closing comments on the bill.
07:54:09 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.

07:57:38 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 26-1347, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Gilchrist
Seconded Feret
Barron Yes
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Hamrick Yes
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Weinberg Yes
Woog Yes
Lieder Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Final YES: 13   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS