HB 1298: Background Checks for Child Welfare Placements - Colorado

Final Act → Signed Act · 4 edits · Jun 4, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the definition of 'child placement agencies' to explicitly include entities that arrange placements for a fee, clarifying their role in the foster care system. It adds a new requirement for these agencies to conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks on applicants and employees through both state and federal databases. The changes aim to enhance child safety by ensuring all out-of-home placement providers undergo rigorous background screening.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of background check requirements to explicitly include 'child placement agencies' (corporations, firms, or persons arranging placements for a fee) alongside existing requirements for foster care homes and county departments.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'child placement agency' to clarify that it includes any unrelated entity placing children for a fee.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that child placement agencies must conduct fingerprint-based criminal history record checks through both the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation before issuing certificates or recertifications.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the applicability section to ensure foster care homes licensed by the state department are included in background check requirements if they receive money from counties or placed children.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting inconsistencies and minor typos in the statutory text regarding background check procedures and confidentiality rules.

Rerevised → Final Act · 4 edits · Jun 2, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the legal definition of 'child placement agencies' to explicitly state that private entities cannot receive criminal history records from the FBI, while simultaneously mandating that all foster and kinship foster homes undergo rigorous background checks. It requires both state-level and federal fingerprint-based criminal history checks for applicants, employees, and residents, and establishes strict confidentiality rules for handling arrest records that lack a final disposition.

Scope change

The bill expands the background check requirements to explicitly include kinship foster care homes and residents living in these homes, ensuring they are subject to the same federal and state criminal history screening as other applicants and staff.

DEFINITION

Added a specific prohibition stating that private child placement agencies are not authorized to receive criminal history records from the FBI.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated fingerprint-based criminal history record checks through both the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the FBI for all foster and kinship foster home applicants, employees, and residents.

Required a name-based judicial record check if initial fingerprint checks reveal arrests without a disposition, with strict limits on who can see the detailed investigation results.

Extended background check obligations to include persons residing in kinship foster care homes.

Revised → Rerevised · 4 edits · May 11, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was re-revised to include additional Senate sponsors and updated the document status to reflect amendments adopted in the Second House. The substantive policy content regarding criminal background checks for child-welfare-involved youth remains unchanged in this specific diff, with no new requirements, funding, or dates introduced.

TECHNICAL

Added four new Senate sponsors (Coleman, Danielson, Exum, Rodriguez) to the bill's sponsorship list.

Updated the document header from 'REVISED' to 'REREVISED' to indicate that all amendments adopted in the Second House are now included.

Adjusted the summary note text to remove a reference to a future reengrossed version summary, clarifying that the current summary applies to the bill as introduced.

Reformatted the reading status and date headers to align with the new Rerevised status.

Reengrossed → Revised · 3 edits · May 8, 2026

MINOR

The bill text was updated from a 'Reengrossed' version to a 'Revised' version, reflecting amendments adopted during the second reading in the second house. The primary substantive change involves a shift in the certification language for foster care operators, replacing a general 'OR YOUTH' designation with a specific requirement for 'A kinship foster care home' in certain contexts, alongside the addition of a new section regarding background checks and fingerprint-based criminal history record checks for county departments and child placement agencies.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding who must undergo background checks was clarified to explicitly include operators of kinship foster care homes and to mandate fingerprint-based checks for specific agencies prior to certification.

REQUIREMENT

The certification requirement for foster care operators was modified to specifically address 'A kinship foster care home' rather than using a broader 'OR YOUTH' phrasing.

A new provision was added requiring county departments and licensed child placement agencies to conduct background checks and fingerprint-based criminal history record checks before issuing or renewing certificates for foster care home operators.

TECHNICAL

The bill header and summary dates were updated to reflect the transition from a 'Reengrossed' version to a 'Revised' version incorporating second-reading amendments.

Engrossed → Reengrossed · 3 edits · Apr 21, 2026

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to include additional co-sponsors and updated the summary date to reflect amendments. A significant substantive change adds a new requirement for fingerprint-based criminal history record checks for specific applicants and personnel, replacing a previous, less detailed check requirement.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding background checks was expanded to explicitly require fingerprint-based checks for applicants, employees, and residents of licensed facilities.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for fingerprint-based criminal history record checks for applicants, employees, and residents of licensed child placement facilities.

Removed the previous text detailing the initial state record check and subsequent federal bureau submission process.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill status from 'Engrossed' to 'Reengrossed' and added new co-sponsors to the House sponsorship list.

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 17, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a specific appropriation clause, allowing the state to fund the new background check requirements. Additionally, the bill now explicitly defines 'county department' and clarifies that natural parents placing a child are not considered child placement agencies, while removing a restriction on sharing criminal history information with authorized agencies.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a specific appropriation for funding the new background check requirements, and the applicability of the 'child placement agency' definition was clarified to exclude natural parents.

FISCAL

Added a clause stating the bill makes an appropriation to fund the new background check requirements.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'county department' as the county or district department of human or social services.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that natural parents or guardians who place a child with a licensed home are not considered a 'child placement agency' under the law.

REQUIREMENT

Removed a provision that restricted the disclosure of criminal history information to licensed agencies and non-authorized persons.

TECHNICAL

Added a note indicating that the summary reflects amendments adopted on second reading in the House.

Background Checks for Child Welfare Placements

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