ColoradoHB26-12342026 Regular SessionHouse

Access to Records of Child Abuse or Neglect

Sponsored By: Gretchen Rydin (Democratic), Katie Wallace (Democratic), Lisa Frizell (Republican), Matt Soper (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Human Services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Child victims can use their records

A person named as an alleged child abuse or neglect victim can share and use a record they possess. Uses include legal cases and getting treatment or services. Their lawyer or court-appointed child advocate can also share and use the record with that person's consent. County departments are not responsible or liable for disclosures allowed by this rule.

More access to family abuse records

Access includes named alleged child victims, parents, guardians, legal custodians, and people responsible for a child's health or welfare. A court-appointed child advocate or youth lawyer can access records for a named child who is legally incompetent. Authorized people can appoint someone to get records using a valid signed release. Release signers include alleged victims age 18 or older, emancipated minors, and parents or legal guardians of children under 18. Turning 18 no longer limits access to cases where the person's sibling or child is a suspected victim; identity protections remain. Counties must create a case-record access process for current and former clients, send it to Colorado's human services department, and submit updates.

Privacy protections for children and families

People holding Colorado child abuse or neglect records cannot share identifying details with unauthorized people unless state law allows it. Protected details include names, addresses, and other information identifying a child, family, or person who reported suspected abuse. These details cannot be shared with the public. County departments are not liable for a recipient's later lawful release.

Criminal penalty removed for improper record sharing

The law removes the class 2 misdemeanor penalty for improperly sharing child abuse or neglect information with unauthorized people. It also removes that penalty for willfully allowing or encouraging the release, without ending confidentiality requirements. The act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after the 90-day period following final adjournment. That date is August 12, 2026, if final adjournment is May 13, 2026. A filed referendum petition delays the act until voter approval at the November 2026 general election and the governor's declaration of the vote.

Private court review before defendants get records

Criminal defendants face limits on getting child abuse or neglect records when another law does not expressly grant access. The court must review the records privately and find access necessary to resolve an issue before allowing it. This review protects the privacy of people named in the records. Courts can also set protective limits on access, subject to constitutional rights.

School records stay private with revised penalties

Covered school and background-check information remains confidential and exempt from Colorado's public-records disclosure rules. The rules cover nonpublic schools, Colorado's education department, charter schools, and school boards. Releasing covered information or making an unauthorized request carries a petty-offense penalty. For child abuse or neglect records, this replaces the former reference to the repealed criminal penalty. The provided text does not state a fine amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Cecelia Espenoza
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Jenny Willford
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Katie Stewart
Democratic • House
Lorena Garcia
Democratic • House
Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Naquetta Ricks
Democratic • House
Ryan Gonzalez
Republican • House
Rick Taggart
Republican • House
Sean Camacho
Democratic • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Sen. A. Benavidez
Affiliation unavailable
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Cleave Simpson
Republican • Senate
Dylan Roberts
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Robert Rodriguez
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 115 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/6/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1234 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 64 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1234, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
5/4/2026House
Sent to the Governor
4/23/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
4/22/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
4/22/2026Senate
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/6/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/2/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
3/30/2026Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
3/26/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
3/23/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
3/20/2026House
House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
3/18/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
2/18/2026House

Bill Text

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

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