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ColoradoSB26-1882026 Regular SessionSenate

Residential Treatment for Members in Colorado Department of Human Services Custody

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health Care & Health Insurance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New residential care rules for Medicaid youth

Colorado must start moving residential treatment into Medicaid managed care by July 1, 2027. This covers youth in county human or social services custody who use qualified residential treatment programs or psychiatric residential treatment facilities. The existing managed care exclusion stays in place until July 1, 2027. A steering committee must form by July 1, 2026, and meet regularly through at least July 1, 2027. Transition policies and recommendations are due by April 1, 2027, and must follow federal Medicaid rules. They must spell out who approves treatment, coordinates care, plans placements and discharge, and pays providers. Statewide standards must address timely approvals, crisis response, staff training, and Medicaid screening and treatment duties for children. Plans must address youth in detention and those already receiving residential treatment before July 1, 2027. Discharge planning must begin at admission and include at least six months of after-care support. Recommendations must address community care availability, placement barriers, data reporting, payment rates, and possible cost shifts among counties, plans, and the state. Budget committee updates are due October 1, 2026; December 31, 2026; and March 1, 2027. An outcomes report is due July 1, 2028, covering placement stability, care coordination, system alignment, and recommended legal or budget changes. The law does not set new benefit amounts.

Earlier repeal of optional Medicaid service rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Colorado repeals a rule covering certain optional Medicaid services, one year earlier than previously scheduled. This concerns Medicaid recipients who receive services under that rule. The supplied text does not identify the services or establish how coverage or household costs change.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Taggart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Gretchen Rydin

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Naquetta Ricks

    Democratic • House

  • Cleave Simpson

    Republican • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 104 • No: 14

House vote • 5/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 53 • No: 12

House vote • 5/9/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-188 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/7/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-188 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/2/2026House

  2. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/21/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/21/2026House

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/21/2026House

  5. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/12/2026House

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

    5/11/2026House

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

    5/9/2026House

  8. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/7/2026Senate

  9. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    5/7/2026House

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

    5/6/2026Senate

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

    5/6/2026Senate

  12. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    5/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

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