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11:31:51 AM |
The primary bill
sponsors, Representatives Duran and Joseph, introduced House Bill 25-1204
to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill codifies the
federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 into state statute as the Colorado
Indian Child Welfare Act, which provides the minimum federal standards
and protections for the removal and placement of Indian children in homes.
It also provides additional protections for Indian children under state
law. For court proceedings involving Indian children, the bill outlines
court procedures for determining a child's tribal membership, ensuring
tribal participation in proceedings, and prioritizing placement preferences
with family and tribe members. The bill requires active efforts in verifying
a childâs tribal status, requires providing notice to parents and tribes,
and provides guidelines for emergency hearings involving Indian children.
It recognizes tribal jurisdiction over cases involving Indian children,
ensures court-appointed counsel for indigent families, and allows the state
to enter into and revise agreements with tribes regarding child welfare
cases. The bill also requires the Judicial Department and Department of
Human Services to report certain information on Indian children by September
15, 2027, and every odd year after.
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11:36:17 AM |
Mr. Melvin Baker,
Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, testified in support of the
bill.
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11:44:06 AM |
Korey Elger, representing
Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.
Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified
in support of the bill. Lacey Psterloh, representing Colorado Children's
Alliance - Four Corners Child Advocacy Center, testified in support of
the bill.
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11:51:48 AM |
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
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12:00:19 PM |
Mr. Kendall Marlowe,
representing Kempe Foundation, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jack
Trope, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Anna
Ulrich, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in
support of the bill. Ms. Elaine Castillo, representing the Office of Respondent
Parents' Council, testified in support of the bill.
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12:10:50 PM |
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
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12:13:57 PM |
Brittani Lopez, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Monycka Snowbird, representing Haseya Advocate Program and the MMIR Task Force of CO, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Molly Ryan, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mariah Cook, representing the Mountain Ute Tribe, testified in support of the bill.
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12:23:37 PM |
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
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12:27:03 PM |
Ms. Jennifer Collins,
representing City and County of Denver, testified to amend the bill. Mr.
Richard Uhrlaub, representing Asrc, testified to amend the bill.
Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment A).
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12:32:09 PM |
The bill sponsors
introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment B).
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12:35:34 PM |
The bill sponsors
introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment C).
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12:35:40 PM |
The bill sponsors
responded to questions about L.002.
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12:36:27 PM
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Motion |
Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C). |
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| Moved |
Lieder |
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| Seconded |
Hamrick |
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Bradfield |
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Bradley |
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English |
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Feret |
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Garcia Sander |
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Gilchrist |
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Hamrick |
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Johnson |
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McCormick |
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Rydin |
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Stewart K. |
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Lieder |
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Brown |
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YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection |
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12:36:59 PM
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Motion |
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B). |
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| Moved |
Lieder |
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| Seconded |
Hamrick |
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Bradfield |
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Bradley |
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English |
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Feret |
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Garcia Sander |
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Gilchrist |
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Hamrick |
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Johnson |
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McCormick |
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Rydin |
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Stewart K. |
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Lieder |
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Brown |
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YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection |
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12:37:00 PM |
The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.
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12:37:36 PM |
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.
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12:39:43 PM
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Motion |
Refer House Bill 25-1204, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. |
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| Moved |
Lieder |
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| Seconded |
Stewart K. |
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Bradfield |
Yes |
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Bradley |
Yes |
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English |
Yes |
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Feret |
Yes |
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Garcia Sander |
Yes |
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Gilchrist |
Yes |
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Hamrick |
Yes |
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Johnson |
Yes |
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McCormick |
Yes |
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Rydin |
Yes |
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Stewart K. |
Yes |
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Lieder |
Yes |
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Brown |
Yes |
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Final |
YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS |
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