Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING A REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES REGARDING SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT INCLUDE PROHIBITIONS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.

Summary of Assessment

            This bill requires each local board of education to adopt a written policy with the goal of establishing a safe and respectful learning environment that is free from harassment and abuse. The policy would ensure equal educational opportunities, and prohibit discrimination and acts of intimidation on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. A copy of the policy would be distributed once per year to each student, and would be posted in each public school.

            The bill would not affect the revenues or expenditures of the state or of local school districts. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact. The Department of Education indicates that all school districts in the state currently have non-discrimination policies. The bill may add additional categories to the policies of some districts.

            The bill would become effective July 1, 1999.

Departments Contacted

            Education