ColoradoHB26-11432026 Regular SessionHouse

Non-Employment Educational Opportunities Background Check Information

Sponsored By: Adrienne Benavidez, Junie Joseph (Democratic), Mike Weissman (Democratic), Naquetta Ricks (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Labor & Employment

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Students get new options for background checks

Colorado applicants can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number for covered educational checks. This covers unpaid volunteer roles, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and clinical experiences, including those required for graduation or health-related licenses. Covered organizations include state colleges, local district colleges, certain nonprofits and volunteer groups, K–12 schools, and licensed health providers. Hospitals and covered schools must accept fingerprint checks instead and do not have to accept ITINs. This includes the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. State and local district colleges choose between accepting ITINs or fingerprint checks for opportunities involving vulnerable people. These include people vulnerable because of age, disability, frailty, mental or behavioral health conditions, or poor health. Social Security numbers can still be required by state or federal law, mandatory government or accreditation database checks, or grants. For expense reimbursements, they can be required when tax rules prevent using an ITIN or Employer Identification Number (EIN). For roles handling checks or other asset transactions, they can be required when the financial institution rejects ITINs and EINs. The law does not cover employment or override federal restrictions on noncitizens receiving public benefits. It applies to contracts entered into and background checks requested on or after its effective date; the supplied text gives no date.

Organizations face fines for rejecting alternative checks

Organizations that fail to accept a required ITIN or fingerprint check face civil penalties. The penalty is $2,000 for the first violation and $5,000 for each later violation. The Colorado Attorney General can enforce the rule and bring civil lawsuits. Collected penalties go to the Immigration Legal Defense Fund.

Applicants face fingerprint checks and possible costs

Applicants declining to provide a Social Security number must complete fingerprint checks where the law requires that alternative. This covers hospitals and covered schools, plus vulnerable-population opportunities at state and local district colleges using the fingerprint option. The organization decides who pays, so applicants can face a screening cost. Local law enforcement or a Colorado Bureau of Investigation-approved vendor must take the fingerprints; electronic LiveScan processing is allowed. The bureau sends fingerprints to the FBI and gives results to the organization to decide eligibility. If an arrest has no recorded outcome, the organization must request a name-based court-record check. Fingerprinting vendors cannot keep applicant information longer than 30 days. Checks must meet FBI and state bureau data standards, cross-checking rules, and Colorado's applicable employer background-check requirements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Gretchen Rydin
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Regina English
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 109 • No: 80

Senate vote • 5/4/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 23 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1143 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 4 • No: 3

House vote • 4/22/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 42 • No: 22

House vote • 4/21/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1143, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 2

House vote • 4/21/2026

Committee of the whole: Amd (h.002)

Yes: 25 • No: 38

House vote • 2/26/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1143 to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 8 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
6/3/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
6/2/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
6/2/2026Senate
Sent to the Governor
6/2/2026House
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/4/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/1/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Education Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/29/2026Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education
4/24/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/22/2026House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
4/21/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
4/21/2026House
House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Unamended to Appropriations
2/26/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
2/4/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Final Act
PDF
House Appropriations Preamend
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF
Rerevised
PDF
Revised
PDF
Signed Act
PDF

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