HOUSE BILL 981307
BY REPRESENTATIVES Keller, K. Alexander, Chavez, Clarke, Mace, Saliman, Tate, Udall, and S. Williams;
also SENATORS Hopper, Hernandez, Linkhart, Reeves,
Rupert, Weddig, and Wham.
CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEDERAL "ADOPTION
AND SAFE FAMILIES ACT OF 1997", AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State
of Colorado:
SECTION 1. 193100.5,
Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
193100.5. Legislative declaration.
(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares
that the stability and preservation of the families of this state
and the safety and protection of children are matters of statewide
concern. The general assembly finds that the federal "Adoption
Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980", Federal Public
Law 96272, requires that each state make a commitment to
make "reasonable efforts" to prevent the placement of
abused and neglected children out of the home and to reunify the
family whenever appropriate.
(2) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FURTHER FINDS
THAT THE FEDERAL "ADOPTION AND SAFE FAMILIES ACT OF 1997",
FEDERAL PUBLIC LAW 10589, CLARIFIES WHAT CONSTITUTES "REASONABLE
EFFORTS" BY DECREEING THAT WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO MAKE
SUCH EFFORTS AND IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING SUCH EFFORTS, THE HEALTH
AND SAFETY OF THE CHILD IS THE PARAMOUNT CONCERN. THIS FEDERAL
LAW FURTHER ENCOURAGES EXPEDITING PERMANENCY PLANNING FOR CHILDREN
IN OUTOFHOME PLACEMENT BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO PERMANENCY
AND STREAMLINING ENTITLEMENT SERVICES. THE LAW SPECIFIES THAT
ONE OF THE GOALS OF ALL PLACEMENT DECISIONS, WHETHER LEAVING THE
CHILD IN THE HOME OR PLACING THE CHILD OUTSIDE THE HOME, IS SAFETY
FOR THE CHILD.
(3) The general assembly further finds
that the implementation of the federal "Adoption Assistance
and Child Welfare Act of 1980", Federal Public Law 96272,
is not the exclusive responsibility of the state department of
social services or of local departments of social services. Elected
officials at the state and local levels must ensure that resources
and services are available through state and local social services
agencies and through the involvement of the resources of public
and private sources. Judges, attorneys, and guardians ad litem
must be encouraged to take independent responsibility to ensure
that "reasonable efforts" TO PREVENT OUTOFHOME
PLACEMENTS have been made ONLY WHEN APPROPRIATE, THAT PERMANENCY
OCCURS FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, AND THAT SAFE CHILD PLACEMENTS
OCCUR in each case.
(4) Therefore, in order to carry out the
requirements addressed in this section, and to decrease the need
for outofhome placement, the general assembly shall
define "reasonable efforts" and identify the services
and processes which
THAT must be in place to ensure that "reasonable efforts"
have been made. The general assembly shall provide that "reasonable
efforts" are deemed to be met when a county or city and county
provides services in accordance with section 193208.
SECTION 2. 191103
(89), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended, and the said 191103
is further amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION, to read:
191103. Definitions.
As used in this title or in the specified portion of this title,
unless the context otherwise requires:
(51.3) "FOSTER CARE" MEANS THE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD INTO THE LEGAL CUSTODY OR LEGAL AUTHORITY OF A COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR PHYSICAL PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD IN A CERTIFIED OR LICENSED FACILITY.
(89) "Reasonable efforts", as
used in article 3 of this title, means the exercise of diligence
and care throughout the state of Colorado for children who are
in outofhome placement, or are at imminent risk of
outofhome placement, to provide, purchase, or develop
the supportive and rehabilitative services to the family that
are required both to prevent unnecessary placement of children
outside of such children's homes and to foster, whenever appropriate,
the SAFE reunification of children with the families of such children.
IN DETERMINING WHETHER REASONABLE EFFORTS ARE APPROPRIATE, AS
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 193208, AND IN MAKING SUCH REASONABLE
EFFORTS, THE CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY SHALL BE THE PARAMOUNT
CONCERN. Services provided by a county or city and county in
accordance with section 193208 are deemed to meet
the reasonable effort standard described in this subsection (89).
Nothing in this subsection (89) shall be construed to conflict
with federal law.
SECTION 3. 193203
(3), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
193203. Guardian ad litem.
(3) The guardian ad litem shall be charged in general
with the representation of the child's interests. To that end,
the guardian ad litem shall make such further investigations as
the guardian ad litem deems necessary to ascertain the facts and
shall talk with or observe the child involved, examine and crossexamine
witnesses in both the adjudicatory and dispositional hearings,
introduce and examine the guardian ad litem's own witnesses, make
recommendations to the court concerning the child's welfare, appeal
matters to the court of appeals or the supreme court, and participate
further in the proceedings to the degree necessary to adequately
represent the child. In addition, the guardian ad litem, if in
the best interest of the child, shall seek to assure that reasonable
efforts are being made to prevent unnecessary placement of the
child out of the home and to facilitate reunification of the child
with the child's family. IN DETERMINING WHETHER SAID REASONABLE
EFFORTS ARE MADE WITH RESPECT TO A CHILD, AND IN MAKING SUCH REASONABLE
EFFORTS, THE CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY SHALL BE THE PARAMOUNT
CONCERN.
SECTION 4. 193502,
Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW
SUBSECTION to read:
193502. Petition form and
content limitations on claims in dependency or neglect
actions notice. (7)
IN ADDITION TO NOTICE TO ALL PARTIES, THE COURT SHALL PROVIDE
NOTICE OF ALL HEARINGS AND REVIEWS HELD REGARDING A CHILD TO THE
FOLLOWING PERSONS WITH WHOM A CHILD IS PLACED: FOSTER PARENTS;
PREADOPTIVE PARENTS; OR RELATIVES. SUCH PERSONS SHALL BE PROVIDED
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AT SUCH HEARINGS AND REVIEWS. THE
FOSTER PARENT, PREADOPTIVE PARENT, OR RELATIVE PROVIDING CARE
TO A CHILD SHALL NOT BE MADE A PARTY TO THE ACTION FOR PURPOSES
OF ANY HEARINGS OR REVIEWS SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF SUCH NOTICE
AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. NOTICE OF HEARINGS AND REVIEWS SHALL
NOT REVEAL TO THE RESPONDENT PARENT OR OTHER RELATIVE THE ADDRESS,
LAST NAME, OR OTHER SUCH IDENTIFYING INFORMATION REGARDING ANY
PERSON PROVIDING CARE TO THE CHILD.
SECTION 5. 193508
(1) (e) (I), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended, and the said
193508 is further amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW
SUBSECTION, to read:
193508. Neglected or dependent
child disposition concurrent planning.
(1) When a child has been adjudicated to be neglected
or dependent, the court may enter a decree of disposition the
same day, but in any event it shall do so within fortyfive
days unless the court finds that the best interests of the child
will be served by granting a delay. In a county designated pursuant
to section 191123, if the child is under six years
of age at the time a petition is filed in accordance with section
193501 (2), the court shall enter a decree of disposition
within thirty days after the adjudication and shall not grant
a delay unless good cause is shown and unless the court finds
that the best interests of the child will be served by granting
the delay. It is the intent of the general assembly that the
dispositional hearing be held on the same day as the adjudicatory
hearing, whenever possible. If a delay is granted, the court
shall set forth the reasons why a delay is necessary and the minimum
amount of time needed to resolve the reasons for the delay and
shall schedule the hearing at the earliest possible time following
the delay. When the proposed disposition is termination of the
parentchild legal relationship, the hearing on termination
shall not be held on the same date as the adjudication, and the
time limits set forth above for dispositional hearings shall not
apply. When the proposed disposition is termination of the parentchild
legal relationship, the court may continue the dispositional hearing
to the earliest available date for hearing in accordance with
the provisions of part 6 of this article. When the decree does
not terminate the parentchild legal relationship, the court
shall approve an appropriate treatment plan that shall include
but not be limited to one or more of the following provisions
of paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection (1):
(e) (I) Except where the proposed
disposition is termination of the parentchild legal relationship,
the court shall approve an appropriate treatment plan involving
the child named and each respondent named and served in the action.
However, the court may find that an appropriate treatment plan
cannot be devised as to a particular respondent because the child
has been abandoned as set forth in section 193604
(1) (a) and the parents cannot be located, or because the child
has been adjudicated as neglected or dependent based upon section
193102 (2), or due to the unfitness of the parents
as set forth in section 193604 (1) (b). WHEN THE
COURT FINDS THAT AN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT PLAN CANNOT BE DEVISED,
THE COURT SHALL CONDUCT A PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING AS SET FORTH
IN SECTION 193702 (1), UNLESS A MOTION FOR TERMINATION
OF PARENTAL RIGHTS HAS BEEN FILED WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE
COURT'S FINDING.
(7) EFFORTS TO PLACE A CHILD FOR ADOPTION
OR WITH A LEGAL GUARDIAN OR CUSTODIAN MAY BE MADE CONCURRENTLY
WITH REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE AND REUNIFY THE FAMILY.
SECTION 6. 193604
(1) (b), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
193604. Criteria for termination.
(1) The court may order a termination of the parentchild
legal relationship upon the finding by clear and convincing evidence
of any one of the following:
(b) That the child is adjudicated dependent
or neglected and the court finds that no appropriate treatment
plan can be devised to address the unfitness of the parent or
parents. In making such a determination, the court shall find
one of the following as the basis for unfitness:
(I) That the parent or parents have surrendered
physical custody of the child for a period of six months or more
and have not manifested during such period the firm intention
to resume physical custody of the child or to make permanent legal
arrangements for the care of the child except in cases when voluntary
placement is renewable under section 193701 (1);
(II) A single incident resulting in a
gravely disabling SERIOUS BODILY
injury or disfigurement of the child;
(III) Longterm confinement of the
parent of such duration that the parent is not eligible for parole
for at least six years after the date the child was adjudicated
dependent or neglected or, in a county designated pursuant to
section 191123, if the child is under six years of
age at the time a petition is filed in accordance with section
193501 (2), the longterm confinement of the
parent of such duration that the parent is not eligible for parole
for at least thirtysix months after the date the child was
adjudicated dependent or neglected and the court has found by
clear and convincing evidence that no appropriate treatment plan
can be devised to address the unfitness of the parent or parents;
(IV) Gravely
disabling SERIOUS BODILY injury or
death of a sibling due to proven parental abuse or neglect;
(V) An identifiable pattern of habitual
abuse to which another child has been subjected and, as a result
of which, a court has adjudicated another child as neglected or
dependent based upon allegations of sexual or physical abuse,
or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such
abuse has caused the death of another child;
(VI) AN IDENTIFIABLE PATTERN OF SEXUAL
ABUSE OF THE CHILD.
SECTION 7. The
introductory portion to 193604 (2) and 193604
(2) (d) and (2) (g), Colorado Revised Statutes, are amended, and
the said 193604 (2) is further amended BY THE ADDITION
OF THE FOLLOWING NEW PARAGRAPHS, to read:
193604. Criteria for termination.
(2) In determining unfitness, conduct, or condition
for purposes of paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section,
the court shall find that continuation of the legal relationship
between parent and child is likely to result in grave risk of
death or serious BODILY injury to the child or that the conduct
or condition of the parent or parents renders the parent or parents
unable or unwilling to give the child reasonable parental care
to include, at a minimum, nurturing and safe parenting sufficiently
adequate to meet the child's physical, emotional, and mental health
needs and conditions. In making such determinations, the court
shall consider, but not be limited to, the following:
(d) A single incident of lifethreatening
or gravely disabling
SERIOUS BODILY injury or disfigurement of the child;
(g) Injury or death of a sibling due to
proven parental abuse or neglect, MURDER, VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER,
OR CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A PARENT AIDED, ABETTED, OR ATTEMPTED
THE COMMISSION OF OR CONSPIRED OR SOLICITED TO COMMIT MURDER OF
A CHILD'S SIBLING;
(j) WHETHER A PARENT COMMITTED FELONY
ASSAULT THAT RESULTED IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO THE CHILD OR
TO ANOTHER CHILD OF THE PARENT;
(k) THAT THE CHILD HAS BEEN IN FOSTER
CARE UNDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR FIFTEEN
OF THE MOST RECENT TWENTYTWO MONTHS, UNLESS:
(I) THE CHILD IS PLACED WITH A RELATIVE
OF THE CHILD;
(II) THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OR A STATE
AGENCY HAS DOCUMENTED IN THE CASE PLAN, WHICH SHALL BE AVAILABLE
FOR COURT REVIEW, THAT FILING SUCH A MOTION WOULD NOT BE IN THE
BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD;
(III) WHERE REQUIRED TO MAKE REASONABLE
EFFORTS, SERVICES IDENTIFIED AS NECESSARY FOR THE SAFE RETURN
OF THE CHILD TO THE CHILD'S HOME HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED TO THE
FAMILY CONSISTENT WITH THE TIME PERIOD IN THE CASE PLAN; OR
(IV) THE CHILD HAS BEEN IN FOSTER CARE
UNDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR SUCH PERIOD
OF TIME DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE PARENT
SUCH AS INCARCERATION OF THE PARENT FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD OF
TIME, COURT DELAYS OR CONTINUANCES THAT ARE NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO
THE PARENT, OR SUCH OTHER REASONABLE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THE COURT
FINDS ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE PARENT.
SECTION 8. 195105
(3.1) (a) (II), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
195105. Proceeding to terminate
parentchild legal relationship.
(3.1) The court may order the termination of the other
birth parent's parental rights upon a finding that termination
is in the best interests of the child and that there is clear
and convincing evidence of one or more of the following:
(a) That the parent is unfit. In considering
the fitness of the child's parent, the court shall consider, but
shall not be limited to, the following:
(II) A single incident of lifethreatening
or gravely disabling
SERIOUS BODILY injury or disfigurement of the child or other children;
SECTION 9. 193702
(1), (3), (4), and (6), Colorado Revised Statutes, are amended
to read:
193702. Permanency planning
hearing. (1) In order to provide
stable permanent homes for children in as short a time as possible,
a court on its own motion or upon motion brought by any party
shall conduct a permanency planning hearing if a child cannot
be returned home under section 191115 (4) (b) for
the purpose of making a determination regarding the future status
of the child. Such permanency planning hearing shall be held
as soon as possible following the dispositional hearing but shall
be held no later than eighteen months
after the original placement TWELVE
MONTHS AFTER THE DATE THE CHILD IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE ENTERED
FOSTER CARE and from time to time as deemed necessary by the court;
except that, in a county designated pursuant to section 191123,
if the child is under six years of age at the time a petition
is filed in accordance with section 193501 (2), such
permanency planning hearing shall be held no later than three
months after the decree of disposition of the child. A CHILD
SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE ENTERED FOSTER CARE ON THE DATE THE
COURT APPROVES TRANSFER OF CUSTODY OR APPROVES OUTOFHOME
PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD, AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 193402
(2), OR THE DATE THAT IS SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE
CHILD WAS REMOVED FROM THE HOME, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER. IF THE
COURT FINDS THAT AN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT PLAN CANNOT BE DEVISED
AT A DISPOSITIONAL HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 193508
(1) (e) (I), THE PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING SHALL BE HELD NO
LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS AFTER SUCH DETERMINATION, UNLESS A MOTION
FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS HAS BEEN FILED WITHIN THIRTY
DAYS AFTER THE COURT'S FINDING. WHERE POSSIBLE, the permanency
planning hearing shall be combined with the sixmonth review
as provided for in section 191115 (4) (c).
(3) Except as provided in subsection (2.5)
of this section, at the permanency planning hearing, the court
shall first determine whether the child should
SHALL be returned to the child's parent or guardian, pursuant
to section 191115 (4) (b) AND, IF APPLICABLE, THE
DATE ON WHICH THE CHILD SHALL BE RETURNED. If the child is not
returned to the custody of the child's parent or guardian, the
court shall determine whether there is a substantial probability
that the child will be returned to the physical custody of the
child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian within six months.
If the court so determines, it shall set another review hearing
for not more than six months, which shall be a permanency planning
hearing.
(4) If the court determines that the child
cannot be returned to the physical custody of such child's parent
or guardian and that there is not a substantial probability that
the child will be returned to the physical custody of such child's
parent or guardian within six months, the court shall enter an
order determining the future status or placement of the child.
Any court order regarding future status or placement of a child
out of the home shall include specific findings concerning the
placement goal for the child. Such findings shall include a determination
of whether the placement goal for the child is that the child
be returned to the parent, continue
in foster care for a specified period, remain in foster care on
a permanent or longterm basis because of special needs or
circumstances, be placed for adoption, be placed in legal guardianship
or guardianship of the person, or be considered for emancipation
or independent living BE REFERRED
FOR LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP OR CUSTODY, OR BE PLACED FOR ADOPTION,
IN WHICH CASE THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT SHALL FILE A MOTION FOR TERMINATION
OF PARENTAL RIGHTS. IN CASES IN WHICH THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT HAS
DOCUMENTED TO THE COURT A COMPELLING REASON FOR DETERMINING THAT
IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD TO RETURN HOME,
THE COURT'S FINDINGS SHALL INCLUDE A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER
THE PLACEMENT GOAL FOR THE CHILD IS THAT THE CHILD BE REFERRED
FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, BE PLACED FOR ADOPTION, BE
PLACED WITH A FIT AND WILLING RELATIVE, BE PLACED WITH A LEGAL
GUARDIAN OR CUSTODIAN, OR BE PLACED IN ANOTHER PERMANENT LIVING
ARRANGEMENT.
(6) Periodic reviews conducted by the
court or, if there is no objection by any party to the action,
in the court's discretion, through an administrative review conducted
by the state department of human services, shall determine WHETHER
THE CHILD'S SAFETY IS PROTECTED IN THE PLACEMENT, the continuing
necessity for and appropriateness of the placement, the extent
of compliance with the case plan, and the extent of progress which
has been made toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating
placement in foster care and shall project a likely date by which
the child may be returned to AND SAFELY MAINTAINED AT the home,
placed for adoption, legal guardianship, or guardianship of the
person, or be
placed in another permanent SAFE placement setting.
SECTION 100 195207,
Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW
SUBSECTION to read:
195207. Written consent
and report criminal records check.
(2.5) (a) IN ALL PETITIONS FOR ADOPTION, WHETHER
BY THE COURT, THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, OR CHILD
PLACEMENT AGENCIES, IN ADDITION TO THE WRITTEN REPORT DESCRIBED
IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION, THE COURT SHALL REQUIRE EITHER
THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR THE CHILD PLACEMENT
AGENCY TO CONDUCT A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK FOR ANY PROSPECTIVE
ADOPTIVE PARENT AND TO REPORT TO THE COURT ANY CASE IN WHICH A
RECORD CHECK REVEALS THAT THE PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENT WAS
CONVICTED AT ANY TIME OF A FELONY IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT; SPOUSAL ABUSE; ANY CRIME AGAINST A CHILD;
OR ANY CRIME INVOLVING VIOLENCE, RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR HOMICIDE,
EXCLUDING OTHER PHYSICAL ASSAULT OR BATTERY.
(b) THE STATE BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES
SHALL PROMULGATE RULES SETTING FORTH THE PROCEDURES FOR THE CRIMINAL
RECORDS CHECK DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (a) OF THIS SUBSECTION (2.5).
SECTION 110 195207
(6), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
195207. Written consent
and report. (6) The department
shall establish rules and regulations
that provide for county departments of social services to charge
a fee, not to exceed five hundred dollars in the case of a first
adoption and not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars for a second
or subsequent adoption by the same party or parties, for reports,
and investigations,
AND CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS provided in accordance with this article.
SECTION 120 195210
(2) and (4), Colorado Revised Statutes, are amended to read:
195210. Hearing on petition.
(2) No sooner than six months after the date of the
placement, unless for good cause shown that time is extended or
shortened by the court, the court shall hold a hearing on the
petition and shall enter a decree setting forth its findings and
grant to the petitioner a final decree of adoption if it is satisfied
as to:
(a) The availability of the child for
adoption;
(b) The good moral character, the ability to support and educate the child, and the suitableness of the home of the person adopting such child;
(b.5) THE CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK OF THE
PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENT AS REPORTED TO THE COURT BY THE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR THE CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY PURSUANT
TO SECTION 195207 (2.5) DOES NOT REVEAL A CRIMINAL
HISTORY DESCRIBED IN 195207 (2.5) (a);
(c) The mental and physical condition
of the child as a proper subject for adoption in said home; and
(d) The fact that the best interests of
the child will be served by the adoption.
(4) If, after the hearing, the court is
not satisfied as to the matters listed in subsection (2) of this
section, the petition for adoption may be either continued or
dismissed in the discretion of the court. THE COURT SHALL NOT
GRANT THE DECREE OF FINAL ADOPTION IF IT DETERMINES THAT THE PROSPECTIVE
ADOPTIVE PARENT WAS CONVICTED AT ANY TIME BY A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION OF A FELONY IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS: CHILD
ABUSE OR NEGLECT; SPOUSAL ABUSE; ANY CRIME AGAINST A CHILD; OR
ANY CRIME INVOLVING VIOLENCE, RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR HOMICIDE,
EXCLUDING OTHER PHYSICAL ASSAULT OR BATTERY.
SECTION 130 Appropriation. In
addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated,
out of any moneys in the general fund not otherwise appropriated,
to the judicial department, for the fiscal year beginning July
1, 1998, the sum of one million three hundred eightyone
thousand four hundred eightynine dollars ($1,381,489) and
28.0 FTE, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation
of this act. Said amount is exempt from the statutory limit on
state general fund appropriations pursuant to section 2475201.1
(1) (a) (III) (A), Colorado Revised Statutes.
SECTION 140 Effective date.
This act shall take effect July 1, 1998.
SECTION 150 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.
____________________________ ____________________________
Charles E. Berry Tom Norton
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
____________________________ ____________________________
Judith M. Rodrigue Patricia K. Dicks
CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
APPROVED June 2, 1998
_________________________________________
Roy Romer
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE
OF COLORADO