CO SB170

State institutions of higher education are prohibited from inquiring into or requiring disclosure of an applicant's criminal history or disciplinary history at other academic institutions on admission applications.

Institutions must inform applicants of their rights under this law and that sealed records do not need to be disclosed per section 24-72-702.

Institutions may inquire about prior convictions for stalking, sexual assault, and domestic violence; assault/kidnapping/voluntary manslaughter/murder convictions within five years; prior disciplinary history for stalking/sexual assault/domestic violence; pending criminal charges; and academic records related to performance.

Applicants denied admission based on information permitted under exceptions have the right to appeal the decision, and each institution must adopt appeal policies and publish them on its website and file with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

The act takes effect May 1, 2020, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2020 general election.