HB 23-1160 Summary

• Requires the Colorado Department of Human Services to provide written notice to persons suspected of child abuse or neglect before adding them to the automated child welfare system, with notice sent within 14 days after findings are issued.

• Persons have 90 days from written notice to request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which must be scheduled within 120 days of the request.

• Prohibits release of findings or information about the person to third parties until all administrative appeals are exhausted or waived.

• If the judge finds insufficient evidence, the findings must be amended and not entered into the system; law enforcement must mark records as unsubstantiated and restrict their release for employment or background check purposes.

• Prohibits findings from being entered against persons under 13 years of age and allows retention of unsubstantiated reports in casework files for internal risk assessments only.