NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 6/8/2016.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 16-1429
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Pettersen and Wilson, Arndt, Fields, Hamner,
      Lee, Mitsch Bush, Ryden, Young;
      also SENATOR(S) Kerr, Cooke, Guzman, Heath, Newell, Steadman,
      Todd.
      
      
      Concerning alternative education campuses, and, in connection
           therewith, making an appropriation.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-7-604.5, amend (1)
      (a) (VI) (B), (1.5) (b), (1.5) (f), (1.5) (g), and (1.5) (m) as follows:
      
           22-7-604.5.  Alternative education campuses - criteria -
      application - rule-making. (1)  A public school may apply to the state
      board for designation as an alternative education campus. The state board
      shall adopt rules specifying the criteria and application process for a public
      school to be designated an alternative education campus. The rules must
      include but need not be limited to:
      
           (a)  Criteria that a public school must meet to be designated an
      alternative education campus, including but not limited to the following:
      
           (VI) (B)  Serving a student population in which more than
      ninety-five ninety percent of the students have an individualized education
      program pursuant to section 22-20-108 or meet the definition of a high-risk
      student contained in subsection (1.5) of this section, or any combination of
      these two criteria that equals at least ninety-five ninety percent of the
      student population; or
      
           (1.5)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires,
      a "high-risk student" means a student enrolled in a public school who:
      
           (b)  Has dropped out of school or has not been continuously enrolled
      and regularly attending school for at least one semester prior to enrolling
      in his or her current public school; four excused or unexcused
      absences from public school in any one month or ten excused or
      unexcused absences from public school during any school year.
      Absences due to suspension or expulsion of a student are
      considered absences for purposes of this paragraph (b).
      
           (f)  Has a documented history of child abuse or neglect, has been
      adjudicated a ward of the court, or has been involved in the
      foster care system;
      
           (g)  Has a parent or guardian in prison or on parole or probation or
      has experienced the loss of a parent or sibling;
      
           (m)  Has a documented history of a serious psychiatric or behavioral
      disorder, including but not limited to an eating disorder, suicidal behaviors,
      or deliberate, self-inflicted injury mental or behavioral health issue
      or has experienced significant trauma; or
      
           SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-7-604.7 as
      follows:
      
           22-7-604.7.  Alternative education campuses - methods to
      measure quality performance - repeal. (1)  The general assembly
      finds that in the state budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year, there is
      not sufficient money to establish a school quality review
      program for alternative education campuses as recommended by
      the department and the stakeholders pursuant to section
      22-11-210 (1.5).
      
           (2)  The department, within existing appropriations, shall
      continue working with the interested stakeholders identified in
      section 22-11-210 (1.5) and interested alternative education
      campuses to find and develop effective methods to accurately
      measure qualitative aspects of an alternative education campus's
      performance.
      
           (3)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2017.
      
           SECTION 3.  Appropriation. For the 2016-17 state fiscal year,
      $43,896 is appropriated to the department of education. This appropriation
      is from the general fund and is based on an assumption that the department
      will require an additional 0.5 FTE. To implement this act, the department
      may use this appropriation for college and career readiness.
      
           SECTION 4.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Dickey Lee Hullinghorst                Bill L. Cadman
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                            Effie Ameen
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO