Senate Passes Bridges Bill to Help Students Afford College

May 2, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-14 to pass HB19-1187, Increase Student Aid Application Completion Rates, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that will help more students afford college by increasing student aid application rates across the state. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature.

During the 2015-16 academic year, approximately $50 million worth of federal dollars were unclaimed because Colorado students did not complete or submit the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Colorado currently has the lowest FAFSA completion rate in the nation. This bill will make it easier to complete those applications, ultimately helping many Coloradans afford a college degree.

“No other bill this year will have a greater return on investment than this one. We’re leaving federal dollars on the table that could help Coloradans graduate without a mountain of debt,” said Senator Bridges. “This bill is good for our economy and our Colorado kids.”

This bill requires the General Assembly to provide funding to the state board of education who will allocate the funds to education providers in order to help low-income students and families complete and submit applications for federal or state student aid. 

For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1187.

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Senate Passes Danielson-Moreno Bill to Give Local Control of Minimum Wage

May 2, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 19-to-16 to pass HB19-1210, Local Government Minimum Wage, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to give local governments the ability to raise the minimum wage if they choose. The bill now moves back to the House for concurrence of amendments.

“As more Colorado families face rising costs of living, we need to find more ways to help them make ends meet,” said Senator Danielson. “Today’s vote to give local governments the chance to raise the minimum wage will help more Coloradans achieve financial security.”

Studies of local minimum wage laws have shown they can increase earnings for workers without negatively affecting employment. This bill will allow local governments to set their own minimum wage laws whenever they determine it is in the best interest of their community.

“I am proud that the Senate voted to give local governments the opportunity to lift up Colorado families by raising the minimum wage,” said Senator Moreno. “Hardworking Coloradans deserve a livable wage that can provide the financial security they need to support their families.”

HB19-1210 passed the Colorado House of Representatives on March 11, 2019 by a vote of 40-24-1. To learn more about this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1210.

Senate Unanimously Passes Joint Rule Change to the Capitol’s Workplace Harassment Policy that Protects Anonymity of Victims

May 2, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate voted unanimously to pass SJR19-010, Joint Rule Changes For Workplace Policies, a Senate and House joint rule change that updates the Capitol’s workplace harassment policy to better protect victims. It now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“We have an obligation to raise the standard of our workplace harassment policies in the Capitol so the culture is both respectful and inclusive,” said President Leroy Garcia. “Those of us on both sides of the aisle have spent a significant amount of time having robust conversations about what the best approach looks like, and I believe that we have passed a policy that the Senate can be proud of.”

“Filing a harassment complaint is an incredibly intimidating process, and the number one reason why people don’t file one is because of fear of retaliation,” said Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “That is why we insisted on the inclusion of an amendment that depoliticized the process and prioritized the confidentiality of complainants.”

According to the joint rule, the Office of Legislative Workplace Relations in the Office of Legislative Legal Services will develop a workplace harassment policy applicable to all legislators, legislative employees, and third parties - including lobbyists. The policy must be approved by the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council. A full list of the requirements of the workplace harassment policy can be found here.

The joint rule includes amendment L.001, an amendment introduced by Senator Winter that would protect the identity of those who file workplace harassment complaints in the Capitol.

“I am grateful to everyone who participated in the creation of this new policy and believe that the changes we’ve passed will make a powerful difference to those who have experienced harassment,” added Senator Winter.   

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Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Clears Final Vote, Heads to Governor for Signature

May 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate voted 23-to-12 to concur with House Amendments to SB19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that would prevent gender-based pay disparities and give every Coloradan a fair shot at economic security. The bill then repassed the Senate by a vote of 21-to-14.

“Coloradans demanded we pass the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, and after years of hard work, we have finally done it,” said Senator Danielson. “Equal pay will help more Coloradans achieve financial security by leveling the playing field and making sure every Coloradan is paid the same for the same work.”

“We know that women across Colorado have been negatively affected by the wage gap and that federal law has done very little to close it,” said Senator Pettersen. “That is why we worked hard to pass this Colorado solution to make sure everyone gets equal pay for equal work.”

On average, white women in Colorado earn 86 cents for every dollar men make for doing the same job. For women of color, the disparities are even more pronounced. According to the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Black and Latina women respectively earn 63.1 and 53.5 cents for every dollar men earn for the same job.

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act sets proactive measures to reduce the gender pay gap by requiring companies to notify all qualified employees about job advancement opportunities, as well as the salary range. Employers would also be forbidden to ask for the previous salary history of a prospective employee. This will give women leverage to advocate for themselves and ensure that they are not held back by previous wage discrimination.

The bill will also hold bad actors accountable, allowing anyone to take legal action if they believe their wage differential is based on sex. To be exempt, an employer would need to demonstrate a pay gap is based on seniority, merit, or a difference in quantity or quality of work.

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act passed the Colorado House of Representatives on April 27, 2019 by a vote of 40-to-21. For more information about the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-085.

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Senate Clears Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Support School Principals

May 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 27-to-7 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1002, Leadership Professional Development for School Principals, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that would create the school leadership pilot program to provide professional development for school principals. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments.

“Dissatisfaction with school leadership is the number one reason Colorado teachers leave their current schools, and it remains a contributing factor to the educator shortage facing our state,” said Senator Zenzinger. “This program will help principals foster great learning environments and positive school cultures, increasing teacher retention rates, improving student learning outcomes, and reducing Colorado’s educator shortage.”

HB19-1002 would provide professional development to school principals across the state through the creation of a three-year school leadership pilot program, ensuring they have the training they need to improve work environments and properly support teachers. The professional development program would focus on distributive and collaborative leadership skills with the goal of improving educator retention, school climate and culture, and student outcomes.  

For more information about HB19-1002, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1002. 

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Senate Passes Zenzinger Bill to Support Low-income Seniors and Coloradans with Disabilities

May 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 29-to-6 to pass HB19-1085, Grants For Property Tax Rent And Heat, a bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to help low-income seniors and Coloradans with disabilities stay in their homes. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments.

“Seniors in Colorado who are on fixed or low incomes and those who struggle with a disability are some of our state’s most vulnerable residents,” said Senator Zenzinger. “It’s critically important that we do more to help them meet their daily needs and stay in their homes, and I’m proud that this bill will provide Coloradans in need with additional support.”

A low-income senior or individual with a disability is currently eligible for two types of annual state assistance grants. The bill expands the property tax and rent assistance grant by 5 percent to account for rising inflation costs, helping vulnerable Coloradans afford the rising costs of living.

For more information on this bill please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1085.

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Senate Passes Bipartisan Winter Bill to Promote Development of Affordable Housing

May 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 32-to-3 to pass HB19-1319, Incentives Developers Facilitate Affordable Housing, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) to incentivize the construction of affordable housing. It now moves to Governor Polis for his signature.

“There are children in my district who worry more about where they will sleep at night than about the homework in their backpack,” said Senator Winter. “We have an affordable housing crisis in Colorado, and this bill is one way we can start to solve this problem.”

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Colorado now has the 11th most expensive housing prices in the country. HB19-1319 would help identify state-owned undeveloped lands that could be used to build housing for low- and moderate-income households. It would also remove regulatory hurdles and incentivize developers to create more affordable housing units.

The House passed HB19-1319 by a vote of 63-to-1. For more information on this bill please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1319.

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Senate Unanimously Passes Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Dental Care for Low-income Seniors

May 1, 2019

Denver, CO - The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1326, Rates For Senior Low-income Dental Program, a bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to improve dental care for Colorado seniors. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

“Dental health is an important part of overall health, particularly as we get older, and all Coloradans deserve access to quality dental care regardless of age,” said Senator Zenzinger. “I am proud that this bill will help low-income, Colorado seniors pay for the dental care they need.”

HB19-1326 will increase the maximum reimbursement rate for the Colorado dental health care program for low-income seniors to greater than the rate previously chosen by the state board of health. The bill will also forbid the dental advisory committee from recommending a maximum reimbursement rather that is lower than the Medicaid fee-for-service rate.

For more information on HB19-1326, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1326.

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Senate Passes Fenberg Bill to Create College Kickstarter Account for Every Coloradan

April 30, 2019

Denver, CO — The Colorado State Senate yesterday voted 27-to-8 to pass HB19-1280, Child College Savings Accounts, a bill sponsored by Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) that would help Coloradans save for college. The bill now heads to Governor Polis’ desk.

“Higher education costs have skyrocketed over the past decade, and as a result, Coloradans are taking on tens of thousands of dollars in student loans,” said Majority Leader Fenberg. “Our goal is to encourage families to start investing in their children’s future as soon as possible to alleviate future financial burden.”

Research has shown that children with college savings accounts at birth tend to do better academically, have more savings as adults, and are twice as likely to to go to college than children who don’t have college savings accounts. This bill would incentivize more parents to start saving for college earlier and give every kid a shot at success.

“Children with college savings accounts are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate. If we are going to make sure that every child has a strong start and a fair shot at economic security later on in life, we need to help them save for the future,” added Majority Leader Fenberg.

Beginning in 2020, $100 of seed money will be set aside in a College Kickstarter Account administered by CollegeInvest, the State’s steward of various 529 College Savings Plans. The state will provide a college savings account to every child in Colorado born between January 1st, 2020 and January 1st, 2040.

For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1280.

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Senate Passes Zenzinger Bill to Address Affordable Housing Shortage

April 30, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate recently voted 32-to-2 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1228, Increase Tax Credit Allocation Affordable Housing, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to increase the amount of affordable housing for Colorado families. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

“People all across Colorado are struggling with the high cost of housing, and too many hardworking Colorado families are making tough choices to keep a roof over their heads,” said Senator Zenzinger. “We need to pass effective solutions to address our affordable housing crisis, and by doubling tax credits for affordable housing developers we can help Coloradans find an affordable, comfortable place to call home.”

Under current law, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) can allocate up to $5 million each year under the affordable housing tax credit. HB19-1228 will increase that annual amount to $10 million from 2020 to 2024, incentivizing developers to increase the number of affordable housing options in Colorado.

For more information about HB19-1228, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1228.

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Bridges-Winter Bill to Address Transportation Innovations Clears Senate

April 27, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 22-to-12 to pass SB19-239, Address Impacts of Transportation Changes, a bill sponsored by Senators Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that would study changes in transportation technologies and identify how those changes might impact transportation funding. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“The way we get around is changing, but the way we fund our state’s transportation infrastructure has not,” said Senator Winter. “By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the future of transportation and how those changes might impact transportation funding, we can make sure we are making meaningful investments that will improve the lives of Coloradans around the state.”

“There are incredible innovations in transportation technology, and we want to make sure that Colorado continues to be a leader in that space,” said Senator Bridges. “To do that, we need to understand how these changes are impacting people and communities across Colorado. Then, we can make necessary changes that will foster innovation, invest in our transportation infrastructure, and make sure everyone benefits. ”

SB19-239 would require the Department of Transportation (CDOT) to convene and consult with a stakeholder group to examine how changes in transportation technology and business models might impact how Colorado funds transportation. The stakeholder group would be required to present its findings and recommendations regarding the impacts and means of addressing them to CDOT by November 1, 2019. In addition to required status updates, CDOT must present a final written report regarding the stakeholder group, rule-making processes, and rules promulgated to the transportation legislation review committee.

For more information on SB19-239, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-239.

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Senate Unanimously Approves Bipartisan Garcia Bill to Partially Reopen Centennial South in Cañon City for Emergencies

April 27, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass SB19-259, Use CSP II To House Inmates In An Emergency, a bipartisan bill that would authorize limited use of the Colorado State Penitentiary II (CSP II) facility in Cañon City to address prison population management issues. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“My colleagues in both chambers have worked hard this session to enact a series of much-needed criminal justice reforms that will address overcrowding and high recidivism rates as well as lower our prison population,” said President Garcia. “I am excited this bill will be part of that package of reforms and provide an emergency backstop for the Department of Corrections.”

The CSP II facility in Cañon City was originally built to hold individuals in solitary confinement. In 2012, the legislature passed HB12-1337, which ended solitary confinement and closed the facility. Since then, CSPII has remained closed and unused.  

SB19-259 would allow the Centennial South campus of CSPII to be used on a temporary basis if the state’s male vacant bed rate falls below one percent for two consecutive months. President Garcia worked closely with stakeholders and the Department of Corrections to create guardrails around the use of the prison that would ensure the health and safety of inmates housed there including:

• Capping the facility’s capacity to no more than 126 inmates at one time;
• Transferring inmates to other facilities within 30 days of the vacant rate surpassing one percent;
• Reporting to the Judiciary and Joint Budget Committees within five days of use and continuation every 30 days; and
• Repealing the use of the facility in 2021.

For more information on SB19-259, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-259.

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Senate Unanimously Passes President Garcia’s Bill to Support Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders

April 27, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1193, Behavioral Health Supports for High-Risk Families, a bill sponsored by President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to increase access to treatment for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

“As a paramedic, I have seen just how much addiction is impacting people in communities all across Colorado, and unfortunately some of those impacted are pregnant women and newborns,” said President Garcia. “We need to proactively address challenges like addiction head on because there are negative consequences for families and communities if we do not act.”

Cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome increased among women enrolled in Colorado Medicaid by 120 percent between 2011 and 2016. To combat this concerning trend, HB19-1193 would provide access to treatment and create child care pilot programs for pregnant women and women one-year postpartum engaged in substance use disorder treatment. It would help identify women in need of such services and allow state funds to provide for treatment.

“This bill will address addiction by providing pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders the treatment and services they need,” added President Garcia.

This bill would create the high-risk families cash fund to provide services to high-risk parents, including pregnant and parenting women, and for services for high-risk children and youth with behavioral health disorders. It would also create the child care services and substance use disorder treatment pilot program and award a variety of pilot program grants to serve pregnant and parenting women in need.

The cost of addiction is not just a danger to the health of newborns and mothers, but it is also extremely costly. Hospital stays are 3.5 times longer than those born without addiction and cost three times as much, according to a study by the Society for the Study of Addiction.

For more information on HB19-1193, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1193.

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Senate Advances Ginal-Moreno Bill to Make Primary Care More Affordable

April 27, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-13 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1233, Investments in Primary Care to Reduce Health Costs, sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). This legislation would invest in making primary care more affordable for Coloradans and now moves back to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.

“Primary care is on the front lines of healthcare delivery, but is underutilized and under resourced to meet the needs of patients. Too many families in Colorado are struggling with high costs of living in Colorado, and rising primary care costs are not making it any easier,” said Senator Ginal. “Bringing down primary healthcare costs will make an incredible difference for people in my district and across our state.”

“This is just one of many ways in which we are working this session to make healthcare more affordable for Colorado families,” said Senator Moreno. “Sacrificing quality primary care because premiums are too expensive is a dangerous move when it comes to Coloradans’ health and to our economy in the long run.”

HB19-1233 would create a primary care payment reform collaborate and require the insurance commissioner to establish affordability standards for premiums. It would also require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, as well as carriers who offer plans to state employees, to set specific investment targets for primary care.

For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1233.

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Williams’ Bill to Increase Coverage for Breast Cancer Screenings Passes Senate

April 27, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 30-to-4 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1301, Health Insurance For Breast Imaging, a bill sponsored by Senator Angela Williams (D-Denver) to expand healthcare coverage to cover breast cancer screening studies and breast imaging at no additional cost to patients. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and approximately one in seven Colorado women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This bill will not only save lives, but also save patients money on the treatments and service they need. “We know that early detection of breast cancer can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment,” said Senator Williams. “We owe it to all Colorado women at risk of breast cancer to make it easier and more affordable to get the screenings and treatments that will help them detect and fight against this disease.” Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance providers must cover preventive health for women, including one cancer screening per year – but they are not required to cover the cost of any additional treatment or analysis. HB19-1301 would expand this requirement for insurers to include coverage of follow-up diagnostic procedures at no cost to women with increased risk factors for breast cancer.HB19-1301 passed the House of Representatives 59-to-4 on April 14, 2019. For more information on this bill, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1301.

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Bridges-Fields Bill to Fund Full-Day Kindergarten Unanimously Passes Senate

April 26, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1262, State Funding for Full-Day Kindergarten, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to fund full-day kindergarten for families across the state. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments before heading to Governor Polis for his signature.

Roughly 20 percent of Colorado kindergarteners are not enrolled in a full-day program, according to the Colorado Department of Education. The other 80 percent of students who attend full-day kindergarten do so through paying tuition, scholarships, and local taxes. For those schools that do offer full-day kindergarten free of change, many do so at the expense of other critical programming.

“Every kid in Colorado deserves a fair shot at success no matter where they come from,” said Senator Bridges. “The differences kids show up with in first grade stay with them the rest of their educational careers. Fully funded full-day kindergarten gives every kid across the state a strong start, helps level the playing field, and ensures all our kids have the opportunity to earn a good life.”

“Full-day kindergarten programs better accommodate both students and working families, but we do Colorado students a disservice by requiring families to fund full-day kindergarten themselves,” said Senator Fields. “It’s time we invest in every child to ensure they have a strong head start.”

HB19-1262 would make it possible for every kindergartener to attend a full-day program without Colorado families having to pay out of pocket by increasing the per-pupil funding of kindergarteners to match students in older grades. The bill will not only fund full-day kindergarten, but it will also free up more than 5,000 Early Childhood At-Risk Enhancement (ECARE) slots in the Colorado Preschool Program to offer kids a strong start at an early age.

For more information on HB19-1262, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1262.

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Senate Clears Danielson-Moreno Bill to Improve Wages for Home Care Workers

April 26, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate this morning voted 20-to-15 to advance SB19-238, Improve Wages and Accountability Home Care Workers, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to increase wages for home care workers and improve health outcomes for the profession. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments.

“Home healthcare workers provide critical support to the most beloved members of our community. I’ve heard from many who care deeply about their work, but the low wages and lack of benefits make it difficult to make ends meet,” said Senator Danielson. “This bill reaffirms the importance of home healthcare workers and will help ensure they are properly compensated, benefitting both workers and patients alike.”

“Many families across Colorado rely on home care workers to look after their loved ones, and these workers should be paid appropriately for the hard work they do each and every day,” said Senator Moreno. “With this bill, we are working to ensure that home care workers can receive proper compensation.”

For more information on SB19-238, please visit  https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-238.

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Senate Committees Pass Bill to Help Students Afford College

April 26, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee recently voted 3-to-2 and the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning voted 7-to-3 to pass HB19-1187, Increase Student Aid Application Completion Rates, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that will help more students afford college by increasing student aid application rates across the state. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

During the 2015-16 academic year, approximately fifty million dollars worth of federal Pell Grants were unclaimed because Colorado students did not complete or submit the free application for federal student aid. This bill will make it easier to complete those applications, ultimately helping many Coloradans afford a college degree.

“If we are serious about giving every student in Colorado a fair shot at success, we need to make sure they can graduate college without tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt,” said Senator Bridges. “We can decrease the financial burden of college by simply helping students complete student aid applications. It’s a fiscally responsible win for our students and our state’s budget.”

This bill requires the General Assembly to provide funding to the state board of education who will allocate the funds to education providers in order to help low-income students and families complete and submit applications for federal or state student aid.

For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1187.

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Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Fields’ Bipartisan Bill to Curb Youth Suicide and Support Behavioral Health

April 25, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate recently voted unanimously to pass SB19-195, Child & Youth Behavioral Health System Enhancements, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to curb youth suicide in Colorado by making it easier for families to find and access the behavioral healthcare they need. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

Nearly 9 out of every 100,000 teenagers in the United States between the ages of 15 and 19 die by suicide. In Colorado, that number is nearly twice the national average at 17.6 out of every 100,000 teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We can improve outcomes for kids who experience depression or behavioral health issues despite family income or zip code,” said Senator Rhonda Fields. “This bill will help youth who struggle with mental health issues by providing a comprehensive system of care and empowering families through access. We need to step up and help our fellow Coloradans — this legislation is going to save lives.”

SB19-195 would create the Office of Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination in the Office of the Governor, a central agency to coordinate mental and behavioral health resources statewide. Additionally, it would create a commission to study and recommend how to best coordinate and provide such services. The bill would also standardize the screening and assessments that doctors use to identify potential behavioral concerns.

For more information on SB19-195, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-195.

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FAMLI Implementation Plan Passes the Senate on Third Reading

April 25, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 19-to-16 today to pass SB19-188, Family and Medical Leave Act, on third reading. This legislation, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Angela Williams (D-Denver), lays a clear pathway to provide a strong, robust paid family leave policy for Coloradans to care for themselves and their families in 2024.

Eighty eight percent of working Coloradans do not have access to paid family leave, and even unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act is inaccessible for 64 percent of working people. The policy is incredibly popular among both employees and employers. In fact, 68 percent of Coloradans and nearly two-thirds of small businesses support establishing a paid family leave policy in the state, according to a survey of likely 2020 voters and a poll conducted by Chesapeake Beach Consulting.

“We know businesses and Coloradans want employees to be able to care for a sick parent, recover from an injury, or welcome the birth of child, and we are one step closer to making that a reality for hardworking Coloradans,” said Senator Winter. “We’re going to continue to work to make sure we create the right program for Colorado that is good for both employees and employers. We have a clear path forward and are going to get a strong, robust paid family leave policy for the people of Colorado.”

“Serious consequences can arise when Colorado workers can’t take paid time off to care for their families – both for the businesses and for the employees,” said Senator Williams. “I am proud of the hard work we have put into this bill, and today is an important step forward in making paid family leave a norm for all Coloradans, not just a few. We’re going to get this done for Coloradans.”

The implementation plan is comprised of a number of analyses that will ensure the FAMLI program is administered efficiently, effectively, and fiscally responsibly, including:

• A family and medical leave implementation task force, which will be appointed by July 1, 2019;
• A report prepared for the taskforce with results from a third-party study and recommendations from experts in the field by October 1, 2019;
• An independent actuarial analysis completed by December 1, 2019;

The implementation plan also requires an analysis of the feasibility of contracting with a third-party to administer parts of the program as an alternative to administration by the state. 

The plan does not change the timeline for when Coloradans can start receiving benefits from the program. These analyses will assist in the preparation of legislation in the 2020 legislative session establishing paid family leave in Colorado. Following the establishment of the program, education and outreach will begin on January 1, 2022, the funding stream will be established on January 1, 2023, and benefits will be provided beginning on January 1, 2024.

For more information about the bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-188.

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