Welcome to this year’s final edition of Capitol Week in Review, our weekly update on policy at the Capitol! Wednesday, May 11 marked the end of Colorado’s 2022 legislative session, and we are excited to share updates on our top priority bills this session!
A special thanks to Sen. Jeff Bridges, Sen. Bob Rankin, Rep. Cathy Kipp, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, Sen. Don Coram, Sen. Dennis Hisey, Sen. Robert Rodriguez, Rep. Kerry Tipper, Rep. Colin Larson, Rep. Leslie Herod, Rep. Julie McCluskie, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, Rep. Mary Young, Sen. Kevin Priola, and Sen. Faith Winter who sponsored our top priority bills. Thank you for standing for Colorado’s students, educators, and families.
Early Literacy
Senate Bill 22-004 Evidence-based Training in Science of Reading
SB22-004 will ensure principals and administrators who oversee K-3 teachers will be trained in the science of reading.
Status: The bill passed out of the Senate and the House and has been sent to the Governor for signature!
Next step: It is waiting to be signed into law by the Governor. We will keep you updated!
“Teachers are working hard to apply Science of Reading in their classrooms. Having administrators and principals trained in Science of Reading as well creates a collaborative, supportive school environment where readers thrive.” Megan Bobroske, 2nd Grade Teacher, testified in support of SB22-004
Just and Supportive Schools and Communities
House Bill 22-1220 Removing Barriers to Educator Preparation
HB22-1220 will remove barriers in educator preparation to support educator candidates entering the workforce.
Status: The bill passed out of the House and the Senate and has been sent to the Governor for signature!
Next Step: It is waiting to be signed into law by the Governor. We will keep you updated!
“The traditional pathways to teaching are creating artificial barriers to BIPOC teacher candidates from entering the profession in greater numbers. Unpaid student teaching is another barrier that reduces the diversity of the teaching force, requiring some students to take on second and third jobs in their attempts to satisfy the requirements of their programs. Addressing these issues would remove some of the barriers that are keeping Colorado schools from diversifying their teaching staff.” Brooke Sassi, Literacy Interventionist, testified in support of HB22-1220
Senate Bill 22-099 Sealing Criminal Records
SB22-099 will automatically seal the criminal records of individuals who are convicted of a non-violent offense if the person has completed their sentence, completed a waiting period of several years, and has not committed another criminal offense.
Status: The bill passed out of the House and the Senate and has been sent to the Governor for signature!
Next Step: It is waiting to be signed into law by the Governor. We will keep you updated!
“I have seen how friends and family members cannot find homes to live in because of having criminal records. Many come out of prison with high hopes, ready to make a better life for themselves and when they try to get a job, they are turned down because of their past…We need to allow them to make a better life for themselves, and by passing this bill we will do just that.” Natalie Perez, Parent and Stand Advocacy Fellow, testified in support of SB22-099
House Bill 22-1202 At-risk Student Measure For School Finance
HB22-1202 expands the at-risk factor by identifying students at-risk based on enrollment in public benefit programs and census block data.
Status: HB22-1202 was signed into law by Governor Polis!
“The reality is that different students have different needs. [HB22-1202] expands the way we identify those who may need more targeted support to be successful in their education and will ensure that we fund our schools more equitably.” Tina Carroll, parent and Stand Advocacy Fellow, testified in support of HB22-1202
House Bill 22-1376 Supportive Learning Environments for K-12 Students
HB22-1376 updates Colorado’s policies and practices to improve school climate for students.
Status: The bill passed out of the House and the Senate and has been sent to the Governor for signature!
Next Step: It is waiting to be signed into law by the Governor. We will keep you updated!
“There is a need for a holistic approach to education, where the wellbeing and growth of teachers, caregivers, support staff and scholars are just as important as standardized test scores. Caregivers need resources to assist with addressing problematic behaviors, and as numerous studies have shown, the emotional quotient is as imperative as an intelligence quotient.” Pamela Kaspar, Parent and Stand Advocacy Fellow, testified in supoprt of HB22-1376
Other key bills we supported
HB22-1064 Prohibit Flavored Tobacco Regulate Synthetic Nicotine, which prohibits flavored tobacco, was postponed indefinitely.
HB22-1131 Reduce Justice-involvement For Young Children passed out of the House and Senate and is off to the Governor for signature! The bill will create a taskforce to study the prosecution of children ages 10 – 12.
HB22-1260 Access To Medically Necessary Services For Students passed out of the House and the Senate and is off to the Governor for signature. This bill would ensure that physically, cognitively, or emotionally impaired students will be able to access services in their schools with local providers.
HB22-1358 Clean Water In Schools And Child Care Centers, which would provide filters to schools for lead-free drinking water, passed out of the House and Senate and is off to the Governor for signature.
HB22-1373 Court-ordered Restitution Paid By Juveniles, which eliminates the requirement for kids to pay back insurance companies for damages, passed out of the House and Senate and is off to the Governor for signature!
SB22-070 Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade Licensed Personnel Performance Evaluations passed out of the Senate and House and is off to the Governor for signature. This bill is designed to downsize administrator paperwork, while also assuring quality professional evaluation and feedback for educators.
SB22-087 Healthy Meals for All Public School Students did not pass. This bill creates a program to reimburse school food authorities for free meals provided to students who are not eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
SB22-127 Special Education Funding, which increases the amount of funding for students who receive special education services, passed out of the Senate and the House and is off to the Governor for signature.
SB22-202 State Match For Mill Levy Override Revenue, which will allocate more money to school districts with a leaner municipal tax base, passed out of the Senate and House and is off to the Governor for signature.
For More Information
New limits on student seclusion, restraint pass Colorado legislature, Chalkbeat
