HB 22-1107 Summary

• Creates the Inclusive Higher Education Act establishing a grant program to fund higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Colorado state institutions of higher education.

• Appropriates $450,000 annually for fiscal years 2022-23 through 2026-27 to the Department of Higher Education for grants to expand or establish inclusive higher education programs.

• Requires grant recipients to provide students minimum of two on-campus undergraduate courses per semester, peer mentoring, independent living skills development, career preparation, and benefits counseling.

• Mandates the administering entity perform annual evaluations and surveys of current and former students, comparing programs to accreditation standards and best practices, with reports submitted to the Department and legislature by December 31 each year.

• Requires admissions standards that do not mandate national assessment tests and allows up to 20 percent of appropriated funds to compensate the administering entity for program administration costs.