CO SB177

Establishes a statutory definition of "drug-endangered child" in the Colorado Children's Code to provide law enforcement, human services, and family courts with a common standard for identifying at-risk children.

Defines a drug-endangered child as any child in a case where controlled substances are manufactured, distributed, cultivated, produced, possessed, or used in the child's presence or on premises where the child resides, only when such activity threatens the child's health or welfare.

Includes situations where a child has unrestricted access to controlled substances or legal substances capable of causing mental or physical impairment, or where a caregiver's impairment from substance use threatens the child's health or welfare.

Covers cases where a child tests positive at birth for Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances, with an exception for Schedule II substances resulting from the mother's lawful prescribed intake.

Requires the State Department to review and report by December 1, 2016, on the effects and outcomes of the legislation, including the number of children removed from homes based on the drug-endangered child definition, then repeals this reporting requirement effective July 1, 2017.