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< Back May 10, 2019 GOV SIGNS MICHAELSON JENET BILL TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS FOR COLORADO’S KIDS (May 10) – Gov. Polis signed Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bill today at North Middle School that will increase access to mental health services for children. Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bill would create a pilot program that provides a social worker in participating schools to follow kids from kindergarten to fifth grade. “Our hearts break for the victims of the shooting in Highlands Ranch and their families. We know that our students need more access to mental health services and we know that services provided sooner rather than later yield greater results,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Social workers can check-in and prevent an emotional cycle that may spiral out of control. This new law will help ensure support is provided sooner rather than later, and no child falls through the cracks.” HB19-1017 asks the Department of Education to select up to 10 pilot schools that meet the necessary characteristics, including high poverty, ethnic diversity, and a large concentration of students in the foster care system. One social worker for every 250 students in the schools will be readily available to those students throughout their elementary period. This bill, also sponsored by Sen. Rhonda Fields, was approved in the Senate with bipartisan support, and passed in the House on a vote of 40-23. The Governor also signed another bill to ensure Colorado’s children have more security and safety in the food they eat. HB19-1171, sponsored by Rep. Michaelson Jenet, would expand school meal programs. When students skip meals it affects their academic performance. Colorado currently pays a forty-cent copay on reduced price lunches for K-8 students through the School Lunch Protection Program. The bill would expand copay coverage through high school. Rep. Michaelson Jenet was the co-prime sponsor of a new law last year that expanded the school meal program to grades 6-8. HB19-1171 passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to recognize emergency communications specialists, also known as 911 operators, as first responders. < Back January 31, 2024 Lieder’s Bipartisan Bill to Boost Public Safety, Recognize 911 Operators as First Responders Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to recognize emergency communications specialists, also known as 911 operators, as first responders. HB24-1016, sponsored by Representative Sheila Lieder, passed committee unanimously. “911 professionals are a lifeline in the public safety system and work to provide critical resources to those in crisis,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “This important legislation would reclassify 911 operators as first responders to recognize their dedication and service to Coloradans. 911 operators are the first ones to connect with a person in crisis, and this bill recognizes their above-and-beyond efforts to streamline public safety in communities across the state.” HB24-1016 , also sponsored by Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would define emergency communications specialists as first responders. Specifically, this would include emergency communications specialists who receive, triage, process, transmit or dispatch emergency and non-emergency 911 calls for public safety services. This also includes those emergency communications specialists who provide resources to field responders or emergency medical dispatch. Previous Next

< Back November 19, 2021 AURORA DELEGATION STATEMENT ON SHOOTING AT HINKLEY HIGH SCHOOL DENVER, CO – Members of the Aurora delegation in the Colorado state legislature, including Senators Rhonda Fields and Janet Buckner as well as Representatives Mike Weissman, Dominique Jackson, Naquetta Ricks, Iman Jodeh, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, today released the following joint statement on the shooting at Hinkley High School in Aurora: “We are devastated. Three times this week, young people have been shot in their own communities and around their own schools. As we await further details from today’s act of violence at Hinkley High School, our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all the students in Aurora schools. Our community is in pain and our kids are scared. “Too many of our children have experienced gun violence. Too many parents have had to pick up their kids early, and too many teachers have had to put their classrooms into lockdown. We cannot become numb to this tragic reality. So far in 2021, there have been at least 138 incidents of gunfire on school grounds across the country. We need to treat gun violence like the epidemic it is.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English into law to prevent physical violence in a child care or public school setting. < Back April 20, 2023 Signed! English Bill to Improve Safety and Well-Being of Colorado Kids DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English into law to prevent physical violence in a child care or public school setting. “It’s a surprise to many that Colorado law does not already protect children from being physically disciplined by educators or school personnel,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs . “Corporal punishment can negatively impact physical and mental health, lead to poor educational outcomes, and cause an increase in violence and trauma in our children. Governor Polis signed my bill into law, so parents can have peace of mind that the safety and mental health of their children in schools are at the forefront of our mission in Colorado and that children will not be subjected to corporal punishment, but a high-quality education they deserve.” HB23-1191 would prohibit an employee or volunteer in a public school, state-licensed child care center, family child care home, or a specialized group facility from using corporal punishment on a child under their care. With this bill, corporal punishment would include willfully causing the infliction of physical pain on a child. The bill passed the House by a vote of 48-16. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2023 Bill to Improve Judiciary Training in Assault, Domestic Violence Cases Advances DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bill to better equip the judicial system and judicial personnel with the tools needed to understand the complex issues that victims of crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence face. “As a survivor of domestic violence, I know how difficult and distressing it can be for victims to come forward with their story,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D- Wheat Ridge . “Victims of crimes like domestic violence or sexual assault are often forced to relive their trauma while navigating the judicial system in order to hold their aggressor accountable. This bill is essential in understanding how to create a judicial system that incorporates trauma-informed practices and training to better protect and support victims and survivors.” HB23-1108 , a bipartisan bill that passed out of committee by a vote of 11-2, creates a task force to examine current victim and survivor awareness and responsiveness trainings within the Office for Victims Programs. The task force would report their findings and make recommendations on how to improve trainings for judicial personnel to better serve victims and survivors of crimes including sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence. The task force would be required to submit a report including findings and recommendations to the House and Senate Judiciary committees by November 1, 2023. Previous Next

< Back January 31, 2023 Successful I Matter Program Has Served Thousands of Colorado Youth The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration presented data today about the I Matter Program DENVER, CO - The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) today presented data in the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee about the I Matter Program, which has provided 5,655 Colorado youth with up to six free therapy sessions. “I’m so proud that this program has been successful at reaching kids that are looking for mental health support and counseling,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet. “Ensuring that our youth have access to timely, quality mental health services has been one of my main priorities at the Capitol. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated feelings of depression and anxiety in our kids, and the I Matter Program has proven to be an exceptional tool that has helped thousands of Colorado youth.” The I Matter Program was created with the passage of HB21-1258 , sponsored by Rep. Michaelson Jenet, and expanded by HB22-1243 . The program received $15 million dollars in funding from the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions to provide a mental health screening followed by six free therapy sessions to youth across the state and is available virtually and in person. Students use a screening tool through the program’s website to match them with licensed mental health professionals that best fit their needs, including bilingual services. If the student needs additional services or shows signs of needing immediate help, their assigned care navigator connects them to long-term mental health care providers or crisis support, including Colorado Crisis Services. Data from the BHA shows that almost 44% of participating youth used at least four sessions and 83% of youth showed up to their session. The 5,655 students who have utilized this service come from 59 of the 64 counties across Colorado. Rep. Michaelson Jenet introduced HB23-1003 to expand the reach of the I Matter Program by offering a mental health assessment in schools. Similar to the screening on the I Matter website, the in-person assessment will help identify potential struggles the student is facing and connect them with the I Matter program. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee on February 7. Previous Next

< Back April 18, 2019 SINGER-DURAN FOSTER SIBLINGS BILL OF RIGHTS BILL PASSES HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY (Apr. 18) – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer and Rep. Monica Duran that outlines protections for siblings when they are placed in foster care passed unanimously out of the House. “Foster care should not change people’s status as siblings. We know that siblings share a special, lifelong bond often being each others’ first friends, ” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont, chair of the House Public Health Care & Human Services committee. “If siblings cannot be placed together, then they should be able to receive regular updates about each other and have consistent, frequent contact, and that’s what this bill tackles.” HB19-1288 strongly emphasizes the importance of the sibling relationship to youth in foster care. It outlines protections that siblings should receive, such as placing siblings together, having regular contact and communication, and having their relationship encouraged despite their involvement in the foster care system. “Many studies have shown that relationships with siblings benefit their emotional and mental well-being,” said Rep. Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This bill was brought to us by foster youth who go through the horrible experience of being ripped away from their siblings. We need to keep these kids together and avoid any further mental trauma to them.” The bill was unanimously approved in the House and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back June 26, 2020 BILLS TO SUPPORT FOOD PANTRIES AND AT-RISK YOUTH SIGNED INTO LAW Denver, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed four bills into law to facilitate donations to food pantries, expand access to critical housing services for at-risk youth and permanently allow remote notary services. SB20-090 , sponsored by Representatives Daneya Esgar and Brianna Titone, helps at-risk Colorado youth by allowing youth over the age of 15 to consent to receive shelter or other services from a licensed homeless youth shelter. SB20-106 , sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Brianna Titone, allows food pantries to expand their sources for goods by allowing food donations from correctional facilities and agricultural producers. “With our state facing devastating budget cuts, we should do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable Coloradans during this pandemic,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “The bills signed today will help ensure that at-risk Colorado youth have a roof to sleep under and can access the services they need, and will expand options for food pantries to help them meet the needs of our communities.” “Too many at-risk youth who end up homeless in our state don’t have access to shelter or services,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This new law will mean more of our youth have the housing and support they need to stay safe.” “With over half a million Coloradans seeking health insurance and unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is clearly a serious need in our communities for food support, and our food pantries are stepping up to help,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We’re making it easier for our food pantries to get food donations so they can help Coloradans through this crisis.” As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to necessitate the limitation of public interactions, SB20-096 , sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran and Terri Carver, facilitates the process for individuals who need to have documents notarized. Rather than requiring an individual to show up in person, the bill allows for remote notarization via video as an option, and includes guardrails to protect consumer privacy. “The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over, which means it’s still important to social distance and reduce unnecessary interactions,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Notarization is an important service that people rely on, and this bill will make it easier and safer for Coloradans to have their documents notarized.” The governor also signed SB20-042 , sponsored by Representative Jonathan Singer, which extends the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning the Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems and broadens its focus to include behavioral health and thus treatment for substance use disorders. “I’m proud of the important work this committee has done to improve mental health services in our criminal and juvenile justice system,” said Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont. “It’s clear there’s more work to do, and I am grateful that the legislature and community partners will continue to work together and reduce our recidivism rate by expanding access to critical behavioral health services.” Previous Next

< Back March 15, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES WILDFIRE INSURANCE PROTECTIONS DENVER, CO – A bill to protect Coloradans with wildfire insurance by updating standards to ensure consumers’ claims are paid in a timely manner today advanced in the House. HB22-1111 is a proactive approach to ensure homeowners displaced by wildfires receive a fair and comprehensive payout for lost property after deeply traumatizing/catastrophic disasters. “After the fires and devastation our communities have experienced, it is clear that we need to update our laws so that future victims of catastrophic fires receive the insurance payouts they’re owed,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “By passing this bill, victims of fires will face fewer barriers to file and receive their claims for lost property and living expenses. This streamlined process will help Coloradans get on the road to recovery faster.” HB22-1111 , sponsored by Representative Amabile, would update a 2013 law by standardizing what insurers will pay out in claims for lost property and additional living expenses after a declared wildfire disaster. More specifically, it would require insurers to pay disaster victims 65 percent of the value of the contents of their home up front without requiring the victim to do a comprehensive inventory of their personal property. Current law only guarantees 30 percent upfront, creating a burdensome process for many people to claim what they are owed after a deeply traumatizing event. The bill also puts in place several provisions that would streamline the insurance claims process for disaster victims. Due to climate change and dryer seasons, Coloradans are at risk for future wildfires. The Insurance Coverage For Loss Declared Fire Disaster would boost the number of insurance providers required to pay by 50 percent so displaced wildfire victims receive more for their destroyed homes and its contents faster. Following the devastation from the Marshall Fire and pressure from those in support of this legislation, many insurers have already agreed to increase the amount of money that will be paid out to fire victims, streamline the inventory process and cover the costs of habitability testing for smoke damage. This bill will ensure all policyholders will receive the benefits they are owed. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2020 REP. SINGER’S HELPING THE HELPER BILL PASSES COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY Legislation would provide benefits to workers who have experienced a traumatic event in the workplace DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor today passed Representative Jonathan Singer’s legislation to provide worker’s compensation for employees who have experienced visual and audible psychological trauma. The committee approved the bill unanimously “911 dispatchers and operators expose themselves to trauma from hearing some of the most violent and tragic situations imaginable, and they do it for the sake of helping us and our communities,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont. “PTSD can be a life-altering diagnosis. With this legislation, we can give the brave men and women who help us during crises the time they need to heal and get back to their life-saving work.” SB20-026 would provide worker’s compensation for criminal justice employees who were exposed to death while they were working if they were diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist with PTSD. Under the bill, workers who experience either a visual or audible exposure to death or serious bodily injury, or the immediate aftermath of these events would be eligible for worker’s compensation. The eligibility also extends to workers who were repeatedly exposed to these qualifying events. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 30-2. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively to improve accessibility at Colorado’s airports by increasing the number of accessible restrooms and walkways, including the voices of Coloradans with disabilities when redesigning large hub airports, and requiring reporting for non-compliance. < Back June 6, 2024 ICYMI: Signed! New Law Will Improve Airport Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively to improve accessibility at Colorado’s airports by increasing the number of accessible restrooms and walkways, including the voices of Coloradans with disabilities when redesigning large hub airports, and requiring reporting for non-compliance. “Basic access is safety for community living with a disability and for far too long air travel has been inaccessible, unsafe, and even deadly,” said Rep David Ortiz, D-Centennial. “From broken wheelchairs to inaccessible bathrooms we face barriers that negatively impact our health and economic opportunities. This law is a start to hold large hub airports, like DEN, accountable and make them a model of access for the entire nation to follow.” “The federal bipartisan infrastructure law has granted historic funding to improve airport infrastructure, and our law is a great start in ensuring this funding will help meet the needs of the disability community,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The requests that the disability community has made to our airports are not unreasonable - they are essential for the health and safety of our fellow Coloradans. This new law helps hold airports accountable for providing Coloradans with disabilities the rights guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that Coloradans with disabilities have dignity in air travel.” HB24-1452 requires large hub airports to ensure accessibility for travelers living with disabilities, as well as establish specific duties and deadlines for compliance. The law requires large hub airports in Colorado to: Establish an advisory committee composed of people with various disabilities to provide input during airport renovations to ensure basic access and equity in air travel; Consult with the disability community and advisory committee during the construction of walkways and other airport facilities; Incorporate wayfinding technology for blind or visually-impaired travelers; Create, maintain, and update a dashboard to report and track basic access shortcomings and violations during the travel process, including a public inquiry form that allows an individual to directly report accessibility issues; Develop and provide comprehensive training programs for direct airport staff on proper handling of equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, medical equipment, and adaptive sports equipment; Provide at least one accessible public restroom per terminal, in addition to companion care changing tables; Use elevators to transport power wheelchairs from the tarmac to the jetway to reduce the likelihood of damaging them. From complex terminal layouts to long distances between gates, passengers with disabilities face infrastructure, information, and customer service barriers at airports throughout the United States. Previous Next

< Back January 26, 2023 Bill to Save Educators Money, Address Teacher Shortage Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed legislation to save teachers money through loan forgiveness and stipends by expanding the pool of student educators who qualify for these state programs. “Colorado’s teacher shortage is dire and eliminating financial barriers to entering the profession is one of the proven ways to get more qualified teachers in classrooms,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins . “Under this new bill, more educators than before will be able to take advantage of loan forgiveness programs and student educator stipends. Our bill saves educators money and sets students across the state up for success.” “Addressing our teacher shortage means breaking down financial barriers to entering the profession,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Just this week, teachers voiced once again that they are facing critical challenges in the classroom and are feeling considerable burnout as a result. Building upon the work of last year, our bill expands the applicant pool of new teachers who can apply for loan forgiveness and stipends. Investing in our teachers creates stronger schools, more workforce retention and better prepared students.” HB23-1001 passed committee unanimously and is part of the Colorado House Democrats' first five bills. HB23-1001 builds upon last year’s work to save student educators money by expanding eligibility for financial assistance and offering loan forgiveness to a larger pool of educators who qualify for these state programs. This includes more than $52 million in federal pandemic relief funds for the student educator stipend program, the educator test stipend program, and the temporary educator loan forgiveness programs made possible through HB22-1220 . Previous Next