CO HB1153

Removes child and family investigators from the Office of the Child's Representative's oversight responsibilities, limiting that office's duties to legal representatives of children only.

Requires the Office of the Child's Representative to establish training requirements, standards, and oversight for court-appointed legal representatives of children through recommendations to the chief justice.

Adjusts judicial department appropriations for fiscal year 2015-16: increases trial court programs by $12,500, increases court costs and court-appointed counsel by $131,419, and decreases the Office of the Child's Representative by $143,919.

Appropriates an additional $27,580 to the judicial department for general courts administration, based on 0.5 additional FTE.

Takes effect January 1, 2016, subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed within 90 days of final adjournment; applies to all existing and new child and family investigator appointments.