HB 24-1039 Summary

• School employees, educators, and contractors must address students by their chosen name (differing from legal name to reflect gender identity) and use it in school and extracurricular activities.

• Knowingly or intentionally using a name other than a student's chosen name or refusing to use it constitutes discrimination; students may file reports or complaints through school discrimination policies.

• Local education providers must implement written policies outlining how they will honor students' requests to use chosen names, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and state law.

• The State Board of Education cannot waive any provision of Section 22-1-145 relating to students' use of chosen names in public schools.

• Intentional misuse of a student's chosen name is added to Colorado's definition of harassment or discrimination in schools.