HB 16-1448 Summary

• Establishes a guardianship assistance program in Colorado to provide financial assistance for children in foster care when adoption and reunification are not appropriate permanency options.

• Makes assistance available to relatives, kin, and family-like relationships who were certified foster parents for a minimum of six consecutive months and have assumed legal guardianship or parental responsibilities.

• Extends eligibility to certified foster parents who do not meet the above criteria if the child is age 12 or older (or age 11+ with an older sibling receiving assistance) and the court finds a substantial psychological tie exists that would make removal seriously detrimental.

• Requires foster parents seeking assistance under the secondary path to have cared for the child minimum 12 months and must demonstrate exceptional circumstances preventing adoption while being willing to provide stable, permanent care.

• Takes effect October 1, 2016, and requires the state department to promulgate rules complying with federal law (42 U.S.C. § 673(d)).