CO HB1298

Colorado's current background check process for child welfare out-of-home placement providers does not comply with FBI standards; the FBI granted a temporary grace period ending May 2026 to allow continued background checks through federal databases

Revises statutory authority for counties and the Colorado Department of Human Services to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history record checks through both the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the FBI for foster care and kinship foster care home applicants, employees, and residents

Restricts criminal history record information from the FBI to county and state departments only; private entities including licensed child placement agencies cannot receive FBI background check details and will only be told whether an applicant is eligible, ineligible, or requires further investigation

Requires background checks to cover any individual with direct contact with children or youth, or anyone associated with the license, and mandates compliance with federal Criminal Justice Information Services security policies

Prohibits issuing certificates for kinship foster care homes when applicants have out-of-state convictions for felony child abuse or sexual offenses against children, or have entered deferred judgment/prosecution agreements for such offenses