SB19-177 Summary

• Allows individuals to request the State Department of Human Services check child abuse or neglect records for background screening purposes when the individual's responsibilities include care, treatment, supervision, or unsupervised contact with children.

• Establishes a fee system for accessing child abuse and neglect records, with fees collected into a newly created Records and Reports Fund subject to annual appropriation by the General Assembly.

• Expands background check requirements for child care facility licensing to include fingerprint-based criminal history checks utilizing both Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation records for new owners, applicants, employees, and residents.

• Maintains exemption from fingerprint-based criminal history checks and child abuse record checks for out-of-state employees at children's camps or school-age child care centers operating fewer than 90 days, provided they sign statements affirming no convictions and undergo reference checks.

• Takes effect August 2, 2019, subject to referendum petition provisions allowing for voter approval in November 2020.