summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
04/23/2025
04/23/2025
Crossed Over
05/14/2025
05/14/2025
Passed
05/31/2025
05/31/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/31/2025
05/31/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
CONCERNING THE CODIFICATION OF THE FEDERAL "INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT OF 1978" AS THE "COLORADO INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT".
AI Summary
This bill codifies the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) into Colorado state law, creating comprehensive protections for Indian children in child custody proceedings. The bill acknowledges the historical trauma caused by the removal of Indian children from their families and tribes, recognizing that such actions have devastated Native communities. It establishes detailed requirements for determining whether a child is an Indian child, including mandating due diligence in identifying potential tribal connections and requiring courts to make specific inquiries about a child's Indian heritage. The bill requires comprehensive notice to tribes when child custody proceedings involve an Indian child, ensuring tribes have the opportunity to participate in or transfer proceedings. Key provisions include defining an Indian child, establishing procedures for notifying tribes, creating guidelines for emergency removals, and prioritizing placement of Indian children with relatives or within their tribal communities. The legislation aims to protect the best interests of Indian children while preserving their cultural connections, and provides additional safeguards beyond the federal law to ensure consistent and reliable compliance with ICWA's principles. Importantly, the bill also recognizes the inherent authority of tribes to determine their own jurisdiction in child custody proceedings and emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of Native families and communities.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (58)
Jessie Danielson (D)*,
Monica Duran (D)*,
Junie Joseph (D)*,
Judy Amabile (D),
Jennifer Bacon (D),
Shannon Bird (D),
Andrew Boesenecker (D),
Jeff Bridges (D),
Kyle Brown (D),
Sean Camacho (D),
John Carson (R),
Chad Clifford (D),
James Coleman (D),
Lisa Cutter (D),
Lindsey Daugherty (D),
Regina English (D),
Cecelia Espenoza (D),
Tony Exum (D),
Lisa Frizell (R),
Meg Froelich (D),
Lorena García (D),
Lindsay Gilchrist (D),
Julie Gonzales (D),
Eliza Hamrick (D),
Jamie Jackson (D),
Iman Jodeh (D),
Cathy Kipp (D),
Sheila Lieder (D),
Mandy Lindsay (D),
William Lindstedt (D),
Meghan Lukens (D),
Paul Lundeen (R),
Javier Mabrey (D),
Janice Marchman (D),
Matt Martinez (D),
Julie McCluskie (D),
Karen McCormick (D),
Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D),
Kyle Mullica (D),
Jacqueline Phillips (D),
Naquetta Ricks (D),
Dylan Roberts (D),
Manny Rutinel (D),
Gretchen Rydin (D),
Cleave Simpson (R),
Emily Sirota (D),
Marc Snyder (D),
Katie Stewart (D),
Tammy Story (D),
Tom Sullivan (D),
Brianna Titone (D),
Alex Valdez (D),
Elizabeth Velasco (D),
Katie Wallace (D),
Michael Weissman (D),
Jenny Willford (D),
Faith Winter (D),
Steven Woodrow (D),
Last Action
Governor Signed (on 05/31/2025)
Official Document
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