House Bill 16-1048 Summary

• Expands the Business Enterprise Program administered by the Department of Labor and Employment to include business types beyond vending facilities for persons who are blind.

• Requires state departments and agencies to consult with the Department of Labor and Employment when constructing, acquiring, or renovating buildings to determine if satisfactory sites can accommodate businesses operated by persons who are blind.

• Authorizes the Department of Labor and Employment to issue licenses to persons who are blind to own, operate, or own and operate businesses other than vending facilities, with priority given to licensed blind vendors on state property.

• Establishes a working group to examine opportunities for expanding job and business ventures for blind vendors at higher education institutions, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Colorado State Fair, with a final report due January 1, 2017.

• Takes effect July 1, 2016, with no new appropriations required; the working group provision takes effect immediately upon passage and repeals September 1, 2017.