Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING MODIFICATIONS TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AUTHORIZING THE COLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO MEDIATE DISPUTES AND MAKING COLORADO DISCRIMINATION LAWS CONCERNING HOUSING FOR OLDER PERSONS EQUIVALENT TO FEDERAL LAW.

Summary of Assessment

            The bill provides statutory authority to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Division of Civil Rights, Department of Regulatory Agencies to intervene for the purpose of informal mediation, in racial, religious cultural, age and intergroup tensions or conflicts. The bill also makes changes to Colorado's discrimination laws concerning housing for older persons making them equivalent to the federal laws, and providing that a person cannot be held personally liable for monetary damages for a violation of these provisions if such person reasonably relied, in good faith, on the application of an available exemption. The bill would become effective upon signature of the Governor.

            The bill puts into statutory language the authority to intervene for informal mediation, tasks that are currently being done by the commission. The bill makes housekeeping changes to the definition of housing for older persons. The fiscal impact to the Division of Civil Rights is minimal and can be absorbed within their existing appropriation. This bill will not have a fiscal impact on any other state agency, or unit of local government. Therefore, this bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Regulatory Agencies              Judicial Branch