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HB 1227STATE · ColoradoIntroduced

Minors' Rights in Dependency & Neglect Proceedings

Current law states that a child or youth named in a petition related to dependency and neglect proceedings is a party to the proceedings and has a right to attend and fully participate in all hearings related to the case. The act affirms that as a party to the proceedings, the child or youth has legal standing regarding all matters related to the child's or youth's interests and the right to have the child's or youth's interests fully represented by the guardian ad litem or counsel for youth throughout the proceedings, including appeals.     If a county department of human or social services (county department) seeks dismissal of a petition prior to the adjudicatory hearing and the child or youth, through the child's or youth's guardian ad litem or counsel for youth, objects to the dismissal and articulates a basis upon which the child is abused or neglected, the court shall set a hearing to determine whether or not the county department has a reasonable basis to dismiss the case. If the court determines that the county department shows a reasonable basis for dismissal, the court shall dismiss the case. If the county department does not show a reasonable basis to dismiss the case, the court must allow the case to proceed.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Voted: 6/1/2026Source

How representatives voted

44 yea·17 nay·3 other

Action history

  • 4/27/2026Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
  • 4/21/2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
  • 4/20/2026House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
  • 4/17/2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
  • 4/17/2026House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
  • 3/4/2026House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations
  • 2/18/2026Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services