Senate Bill 25-073

BY SENATOR(S) Liston and Marchman, Amabile, Cutter, Exum, Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Pelton B., Roberts, Rodriguez, Snyder, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman;

also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Keltie and Martinez, Bacon, Barron, Bird, Boesenecker, Bradfield, Bradley, Caldwell, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Hartsook, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Lukens, Mabrey, Marshall, Pugliese, Richardson, Rutinel, Sirota, Soper, Stewart K., Story, Suckla, Taggart, Weinberg, Winter T., Woog, McCluskie.

Concerning enhancing support for military-connected children with disabilities who enroll in Colorado schools.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-36-107, add (3)(f) and (3)(g) as follows:

22-36-107.  Inbound active duty military families - school enrollment - registration - legislative declaration - definitions. (3) (f)  Consistent with existing state and federal law and regulations, the child of an inbound active duty military member who has an existing individualized education program, as defined in section 22-20-103, or an existing section 504 plan, as defined in section 22-20-123, is eligible for open enrollment, remote enrollment as described in subsections (3)(a) and (3)(c) of this section, and guaranteed matriculation pursuant to this section. The school district or charter school where the student enrolls shall ensure that the student receives the appropriate services and accommodations, consistent with the child's existing individualized education program or section 504 plan without unreasonable delay upon enrollment.

(g)  Each school district and charter school shall take reasonable steps to notify inbound active duty military members and their families of their rights pursuant to this section, including providing information on special education services, to prevent inadvertent exclusion and to ensure inbound active duty military members and their families are fully informed of available supports.

SECTION 2.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.