PRIA Logo™
ColoradoHB26-13492026 Regular SessionHouse

Funding for Prevention Services Programs Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Emily Sirota (Democratic), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Children & Domestic MattersGeneral Assembly

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Colorado keeps child abuse prevention support

The law establishes a dedicated Colorado Child Abuse Prevention Trust Fund within the Department of Early Childhood. It removes the July 1, 2027 end date for the fund and prevention board, with no new end date. Fund money can support prevention services eligible for federal reimbursement, and those reimbursements can support the programs. Funding sources include tobacco settlement money, state funding, gifts, grants, and donations; interest and unused money stay in the fund. The Department must arrange an independent review of administrative costs and how well grants prevent child abuse by November 1, 2029. The law takes effect upon passage and does not create direct household payments.

New funding rules for nurse visits

The Nurse Home Visitor Program Fund can receive additional money that lawmakers approve or transfer, without a guaranteed funding increase. Its sources also include tobacco settlement money, gifts, grants, and donations; interest and unused money stay in the fund. Program grants still depend on annual budget approval. Up to 5% of the annual fund appropriation can cover indirect costs: 2% for the Department and 3% for the Health Sciences Facility and its contractors. These costs can include necessary transfers for Medicaid administration; required Medicaid time-study costs are outside the 5% cap. When annual appropriations exceed $19 million, the Department and facility must assess a lower percentage and jointly report to lawmakers.

Colorado shifts money between family services

Colorado transfers $5.1 million from the Nurse Home Visitor Program Fund to the prevention trust fund each July 1, 2026–2029. For budget year 2026–27, $5.1 million in General Fund money replaces home visiting money from the nurse fund. For child abuse prevention, $5.1 million from the trust fund replaces the same amount of General Fund money. These budget changes apply only if the 2026–27 budget act becomes law, starting on the later effective date. A specified reduction is not required if the relevant appropriation is below $5.1 million or the program has no appropriation. By November 1, 2029, the Department must report to the Joint Budget Committee on transfer effects, including added federal reimbursements. The transfer-related subsection ends July 1, 2030; the transfers do not create household payments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 104 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1349 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 54 • No: 6

House vote • 4/6/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1349 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/27/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/21/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/21/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/21/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/16/2026Senate

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

    4/15/2026Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/14/2026Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/11/2026House

  10. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  11. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    4/8/2026House

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

    4/6/2026House

  13. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/2/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation