CO SB202

Modifies parental financial obligations for out-of-home child placements by making fees discretionary rather than mandatory, requiring county departments to determine if a referral for fees is appropriate based on rules from the State Board of Human Services.

Allows delegate child support enforcement units to charge parents a fee based on ability to pay to cover costs of guardian ad litem and residential care when a referral is deemed appropriate.

Changes language from mandatory "shall" to permissive "may" regarding enforcement of child support obligations when rights are assigned for children in foster care under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act.

Requires that accrued child support collected during foster care placement remains assigned to the state to reimburse foster care costs even after placement terminates, with proportional distribution to federal government, state, and county.

Clarifies that child welfare service fees must be based on child support guidelines and allows county departments to exempt families from payment when serving the best interest of the child, contingent on appropriate referral determinations.