HB 22-1319 Summary

• Allows unaccompanied children in federal custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement housed in Colorado facilities to file petitions for dependency orders in juvenile court if they have been subjected to parental abuse, neglect, or parental actions listed in state law.

• Requires petitions to include facts supporting jurisdiction, the child's name/age/country of birth, and the facility location, with statements allowed upon information and belief.

• Mandates court hearings within 35 days of petition filing (or 7 days if child is approaching 18 years of age or other emergent circumstances exist).

• Prohibits naming the child's parent as a respondent and explicitly states that parental rights cannot be terminated through these proceedings, while allowing courts to issue orders establishing eligibility for special immigrant juvenile status upon request.

• Prevents courts from altering the child's custody status or placement without specific consent from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, with court jurisdiction lasting until age 18 or further order.