Bill > HB1188

This bill addresses recommendations from the Mandatory Reporter Task Force to improve Colorado's child abuse and neglect reporting system. The legislation aims to reduce unnecessary reporting and minimize disproportionate impacts on families of color, people with disabilities, and under-resourced communities. Key provisions include modifying reporting requirements so that mandatory reporters are not required to report situations that do not involve child safety, explicitly prohibiting reports based solely on a family's race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or disability status, and clarifying that professionals are not required to report suspected abuse or neglect learned outside their professional capacity. The bill requires reports to be made within 24 hours and allows entities employing mandatory reporters to develop reporting protocols while ensuring they do not deter employees from filing necessary reports. Additionally, the bill provides a small appropriation of $5,375 to the Department of Human Services for training purposes, with the main provisions taking effect on September 1, 2025. The legislation is intended to be a first step in comprehensively improving the mandatory reporting system by addressing legal clarity and reducing unnecessary interventions in families' lives.

Health and Social Services

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1188