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ColoradoHB26-13472026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Federal Disability Benefits for Foster Care Youth

Sponsored By: Kyle Brown (Democratic), Lindsay Gilchrist (Democratic), Lindsey Daugherty (Democratic), Matt Ball (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Children & Domestic Matters

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Application and appeal help for foster children

When a foster child may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the county must help with the application. It must apply itself when federal selection rules make it the best choice to manage the child's benefits. Otherwise, it must give application information to the person being considered for that role. After an unfavorable SSI decision, counties must consult the child and other interested parties about reasons to appeal. They must appeal when grounds exist and the county filed the original application. Counties must also give application information to noncertified kinship caregivers whose children may qualify.

Disability benefit checks for foster children

By July 1, 2028, Colorado counties must start checking children in their custody or out-of-home placement for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Counties must refer children under six for developmental screening within 45 days after placement. Initial medical intake for older children must check conditions linked to SSI eligibility. When eligibility appears likely and Social Security accepts applications, counties must start an application within 45 days after receiving needed screening information and records. For children in the Children's Habilitation Residential Program waiver, counties must also apply when no application exists or countable resources exceed federal limits. Counties must revisit findings of unlikely eligibility when new information arrives and at least yearly during the medical exam. They must explain why a child reported as having a disability is unlikely to qualify, and report likely SSI applicants as having a disability. The state must adopt screening, review, application, and notice rules by January 1, 2028, following state and federal law and consulting stakeholders. It must provide ongoing county guidance on applications, screening, community resources, and benefit management, with coordinated staff support for SSI and survivor benefits.

Clearer benefit records for foster children

By July 1, 2028, counties managing a foster child's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) must record spending by need and funding source in the state case system. Each year, they must give the child and legal representative an accounting of SSI received, account details, and spending. Counties managing benefits must meet with the child and interested parties about current and expected needs and budget accordingly. Counties not managing benefits are not responsible for maintaining those accounts or providing annual accountings. When custody moves from the county to another person, the county must review who should manage SSI. It must consult interested parties and follow federal payee selection rules. Counties must give timely, age-appropriate notices about applications, county requests to manage benefits, and who is selected. Notices also cover decisions to deny, end, or reduce SSI, unless a court order blocks notice. Recipients include the child, legal representatives, placement caregivers, and parents whose rights are not terminated or restricted.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsey Daugherty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Brandi Bradley

    Republican • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Carter

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Naquetta Ricks

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Rebecca Keltie

    Republican • House

  • Ron Weinberg

    Republican • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Sen. A. Benavidez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

  • William Lindstedt

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 128 • No: 8

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 31 • No: 4

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1347 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 4 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/30/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1347 to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 4/27/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 62 • No: 1

House vote • 4/24/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1347 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 4/15/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1347, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/1/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/26/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/26/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/26/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/6/2026Senate

  6. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    5/5/2026Senate

  7. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    5/5/2026Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/30/2026Senate

  9. Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to Appropriations

    4/30/2026Senate

  10. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    4/28/2026Senate

  11. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/27/2026House

  12. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/24/2026House

  13. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    4/24/2026House

  14. House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations

    4/15/2026House

  15. Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    4/1/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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