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ColoradoHB25-10182025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Sponsored By: Gretchen Rydin (Democratic), Jessie Danielson (Democratic), Lindsay Gilchrist (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Human ServicesLabor & EmploymentState Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Easier access to disability job services

People with disabilities can apply for Colorado vocational rehabilitation services while outside Colorado. The department no longer must first decide that an applicant can successfully complete rehabilitation. It must provide appropriate, needed services based on documented disabilities and impairments to support an employment goal. It must also close service records promptly after employment goals are reached, following federal guidelines. Beginning in 2026, the department must report to legislative committees at SMART Act hearings. Reports cover recipient totals, year-end staffing, and actual spending by federal, state, and local source for each of the two prior state fiscal years. They also include available counts of recipients who became Colorado residents or residents of other states during the prior state fiscal year.

Lower rehabilitation costs, with new limits

The law removes the general requirement that recipients or legally and financially responsible relatives help pay based on financial ability. The department generally provides vocational rehabilitation services without checking financial need. It can use a financial-need test only during cost controls to prevent or manage wait lists caused by insufficient funds. Any test must follow federal law, and the department must first engage people with disabilities, community partners, and the public. Some services remain publicly paid without a financial-need test; people eligible for Social Security benefits under Title II or XVI owe no further contribution for any services. Payments for all education and vocational schooling are limited to Colorado in-state tuition or its equivalent. The department can approve out-of-state tuition case by case when specialized education outside Colorado is necessary to address employment barriers. The act's effective-date rule is 90 days after final adjournment, unless a referendum petition is filed. With a petition, effectiveness requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election and begins with the governor's official declaration of the vote.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Gretchen Rydin

    Democratic • House

  • Jessie Danielson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Rebekah Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Rep. S. Bird

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sean Camacho

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris Kolker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dafna Michaelson Jenet

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sen. F. Winter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Rodriguez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tom Sullivan

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 70

House vote • 3/28/2025

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 45 • No: 18

House vote • 3/28/2025

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 17

Senate vote • 3/24/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 21 • No: 12

Senate vote • 3/18/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1018 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 6 • No: 1

House vote • 2/18/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 44 • No: 20

House vote • 2/5/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1018 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    4/18/2025House

  2. Sent to the Governor

    4/11/2025House

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    4/10/2025House

  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/10/2025Senate

  5. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    3/28/2025House

  6. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

    3/25/2025House

  7. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/24/2025Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor

    3/21/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/18/2025Senate

  10. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology

    2/21/2025Senate

  11. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    2/18/2025House

  12. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor

    2/14/2025House

  13. House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    2/7/2025House

  14. House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    2/5/2025House

  15. Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor

    1/8/2025House

Bill Text

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