The Kempe Foundation is committed to working with champions and partners at the state Capitol to prevent child abuse and neglect, increase access to evidence-based prevention services, and ensure state or voluntary intervention services serve families successfully. The legislative session concluded on May 8, 2024. Dozens of significant bills gained the necessary approval in the final days. The following are the approved bills that Kempe supported and worked on.
SB24-001 Continue Youth Mental Health Services Program
Passed, awaiting Governor’s signature.
Approval to continue the ‘I Matter’ program in the Behavioral Health Administration indefinitely. The bill also includes additional reporting requirements on the BHA to better understand efficacy of the program. The Kempe Foundation has historically supported legislation around this program and this year provided testimony in both the Senate and House committees of reference.
Kempe Center’s Becky Orsi-Hunt (far left) providing testimony in support of SB-001.
SB24-008 Kinship Foster Care Homes
Colorado’s Child Welfare System Interim Committee bill. Passed, awaiting Governor’s signature.
This bill creates measures that support kinship foster care homes, including providing financial support to non-certified kinship care homes. The Kempe Foundation has been involved with other stakeholders in drafting the language and provided supporting testimony in both chambers.
SB24-008 sponsors in the House. From left to right, John Farnam (Morgridge Foundation), Rep. Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, Rep. Mary Young, Rep. Brandi Bradley, and Heather Allan (Kempe Center).
SB24-047 Prevention of Substance Use Disorders
Passed, awaiting Governor’s signature.
This bill includes many sections related to increasing substance use disorder prevention. Specifically, Section 13, which authorizes conducting a statewide perinatal substance use data linkage project. The Kempe Foundation provided testimony in support of this section during the Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing.
Kempe Center’s Becky Orsi-Hunt (left) providing testimony in support of SB-047.
SB24-200 Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion in Child Welfare
Passed, awaiting Governor’s signature.
Led by a coalition of county child welfare agencies, SB24-200 requires the Department of Human Services to make changes in child welfare reports and trainings around equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Kempe Foundation provided public testimony and written testimony in support.
The Kempe Foundation’s CEO, Jon Kruljac (far right) pictured (from right to left) with Mollie Bradlee (CDHS), Sen. Michaelson Jenet, Rep. Amabile, Minna Castillo (CDHS), together with stakeholders.
Kempe Supported Bills
Below are the bills that The Kempe Foundation endorsed and have been passed in the legislature. These bills have either been signed by the Governor, or are awaiting signature.
SB24-034 Increase Access to School-Based Health Care
SB24-119 Term Abandonment for Federal Classification Juvenile
HB24-1017 Bill of Rights for Foster Youth
HB24-1031 Accessibility for Persons in Child Welfare Matters Colorado Child Welfare System Interim Committee bill.
HB24-1038 High-Acuity Crisis for Children & Youth Colorado Child Welfare System Interim Committee bill.
HB24-1046 Child Welfare System Tools Colorado Child Welfare System Interim Committee bill.
HB24-1136 Healthier Social Media Use by Youth
