Colorado bills · 2026 Regular Session
Colorado HB 1227
Minors' Rights in Dependency & Neglect Proceedings
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- K. Mullica (Democratic)
- L. Daugherty (Democratic)
- L. Gilchrist (Democratic)
- M. Bradfield (Republican)
Cosponsors (22)
- M. Weissman (Democratic)
- M. Snyder (Democratic)
- W. Lindstedt (Democratic)
- C. Kipp (Democratic)
- I. Jodeh (Democratic)
- N. Hinrichsen (Democratic)
- T. Exum (Democratic)
- J. Coleman (Democratic)
- A. Benavidez (Democratic)
- J. Amabile (Democratic)
- T. Story (Democratic)
- K. Stewart (Democratic)
- G. Rydin (Democratic)
- N. Ricks (Democratic)
- A. Paschal (Democratic)
- K. Nguyen (Democratic)
- K. McCormick (Democratic)
- M. Lindsay (Democratic)
- M. Froelich (Democratic)
- M. Duran (Democratic)
- S. Camacho (Democratic)
- K. Brown (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Colorado legislature· summary
Current law states that a child or youth named in a petition related to dependency and neglect proceedings is a party to the proceedings and has a right to attend and fully participate in all hearings related to the case. The act affirms that as a party to the proceedings, the child or youth has legal standing regarding all matters related to the child's or youth's interests and the right to have the child's or youth's interests fully represented by the guardian ad litem or counsel for youth throughout the proceedings, including appeals. If a county department of human or social services (county department) seeks dismissal of a petition prior to the adjudicatory hearing and the child or youth, through the child's or youth's guardian ad litem or counsel for youth, objects to the dismissal and articulates a basis upon which the child is abused or neglected, the court shall set a hearing to determine whether or not the county department has a reasonable basis to dismiss the case. If the court determines that the county department shows a reasonable basis for dismissal, the court shall dismiss the case. If the county department does not show a reasonable basis to dismiss the case, the court must allow the case to proceed.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Text versions
- Introduced· Feb 18, 2026
- Engrossed· Apr 17, 2026
- Reengrossed· Apr 21, 2026
- Revised· May 5, 2026
- Rerevised· May 6, 2026
- Final Act· May 19, 2026
- Signed Act· Jun 3, 2026
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 4:19 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 House | BILL | pass | Set your home in Colorado to see |
| Apr 30, 2026 Senate | Refer House Bill 26-1227 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | pass | Set your home in Colorado to see |
| Apr 17, 2026 House | Adopt amendment L.006 | pass | Set your home in Colorado to see |
| Apr 17, 2026 House | Refer House Bill 26-1227, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | pass | Set your home in Colorado to see |
| Mar 4, 2026 House | Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment R). | pass | Set your home in Colorado to see |
| Mar 4, 2026 House | Refer House Bill 26-1227, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. | pass | Set your home in Colorado to see |
| Mar 4, 2026 House | Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment Q). | pass | Set your home in Colorado to see |
Actions
- Feb 18, 2026 · House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services - Mar 4, 2026 · House
House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations - Apr 17, 2026 · House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole - Apr 17, 2026 · House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor - Apr 20, 2026 · House
House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments - Apr 21, 2026 · House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments - Apr 27, 2026 · Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services - Apr 30, 2026 · Senate
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole - May 5, 2026 · Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments - May 6, 2026 · Senate
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments - May 20, 2026 · House
Signed by the Speaker of the House - May 20, 2026 · Senate
Signed by the President of the Senate - May 20, 2026
Sent to the Governor - Jun 1, 2026
Governor Signed