Senate Bill 23-149 Summary

• Creates a Youth Mentorship Assistance Grant Pilot Program providing financial assistance to students enrolled in Colorado public higher education institutions who provide mentorship services to underserved youth

• Requires the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Board to select one approved youth mentorship organization from each of four categories: LGBTQ youth, youth with disabilities, youth of color, and justice-involved youth

• Establishes $100,000 appropriation from the general fund for the 2023-24 fiscal year with unused funds rolling forward through 2025-26; prohibits use of funds for administrative costs

• Requires participating organizations to conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks and prohibits individuals convicted of sexual abuse, child abuse, or domestic violence crimes from serving as mentors

• Requires annual reporting on participant demographics, mentorship hours, financial disbursements, and student outcomes; program sunsets effective July 1, 2027