- Legislative Impacts: We’ve released our annual legislative impacts report summarizing our priority legislation during the 2014 Colorado General Assembly. We’re grateful to the many legislators, partners and supporters who helped ensure Colorado kids were a priority this session. Click here to download a copy.
- Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) Overhaul: HB 14-1317 (Duran/Nicholson, Kefalas) was signed into law Thursday by the governor at the Capitol. The law modernizes the CCCAP program and invests $9.9 million in expanding access to quality care so that families can rely on the affordable child care they need to work. The overhaul ensures that more of Colorado’s most vulnerable kids have access to stimulating experiences that let them discover, explore and grow. Read more about the development of this bill in past issues of Kids Flash.
- CCCAP Cliff Effect Pilot: SB 14-003 (Nicholson/Pettersen) was signed Thursday. It provides $1.2 million to help counties launch pilot programs to mitigate the impact of the “cliff effect,” when families lose child care support due to a modest increase in salary.
- Income Tax Credit for Child Care Expenses: HB 14-1072 (Pettersen & Exum/Kefalis) was signed Thursday as well. In provides $5.4 million to ensure that working families earning less than $25,000 who have child care expenses are able to receive the same tax benefit that higher income families receive.
Gov. John Hickenlooper signs a package of bills on Thursday to make affordable child care available to more working Colorado families.
- School Finance: HB 14-1298 (Hamner & Buckner/Kerr & Steadman) and Student Success Act: HB 1292 (Hamner & Murray/Johnston & Ulibarri) were signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper this week at Ponderosa Elementary School in Aurora. The bipartisan bills restore cuts in school funding made during the recession and make targeted investments in services for kids who need it most. Read more about the package here.
Rep. Millie Hamner speaks at the signing ceremony for HB 1292 and HB 1298. Photo by Colorado House Democrats.
- Vaccine Rates: HB 14-1288 (Pabon/Aguilar) was signed by the governor this week at Children’s Hospital Colorado. The new law requires child care centers and schools to release the percentage of children opting out of vaccine requirements. It also directs the State Board of Health to set rules on how frequently parents must submit exemptions. Click here to read more.
Gov. Hickenlooper signs HB 1288 on Thursday with Rep. Dan Pabon and members of the coalition supporting the bill. Photo by Tia Brayman, Children’s Hospital Colorado.
