CO HB1227

Exempts teen parents from submitting written applications for child support establishment services as a condition of receiving child care assistance until they graduate high school or complete a high school equivalency examination.

Allows counties to require teen parents to attend free informational sessions about child support benefits once they become eligible for child care assistance, but cooperation with child support enforcement only becomes mandatory after they graduate or complete a GED.

Exempts applicants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual offense, harassment, or stalking from child support application requirements if they submit a statement, fear for their safety, and provide evidence of victimization.

Requires counties to report annually from July 1, 2017 through July 1, 2025 on teen parents in the child care assistance program, including data on paternity establishment, child support collection, economic self-sufficiency, and Colorado Works participation.

Appropriates $268,562 from federal child care development funds to the Department of Human Services for 2016-17 for information technology services to implement the provisions.