HB23-1043 Summary

• Requires immediate initial criminal history record checks of relatives/kin and any adults in their homes before placing children or youth in emergency placements.

• Mandates fingerprint-based criminal history record checks be completed within 7 calendar days (or 14 days for exigent circumstances) after emergency placement, with failure to submit fingerprints resulting in child removal unless court orders otherwise.

• Establishes disqualifying criminal convictions including felony child abuse, murder, kidnapping, sexual offenses, domestic violence felonies, drug-related felonies within 3 years, and similar out-of-state offenses.

• Requires additional background checks including Colorado courts data access system checks, child welfare registry checks in current and prior states, and sex offender registry checks before placement.

• Takes effect 90 days after legislative adjournment unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2024 general election.