HB 25-1153 CO

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Became Law

The act requires the department of personnel (department), in partnership with the office of new Americans, to conduct or contract to conduct a statewide language access assessment of the readiness of principal departments to meet the language access standards outlined in the language access universal policy (assessment). The assessment covers all principal departments except the department of state, the department of the treasury, and the department of law (principal departments). The assessment must identify: The needs of principal departments to meet the language access standards outlined in the language access universal policy, including requests for guidance, training, and technical assistance; Relevant language access materials from principal departments, including language access plans, position descriptions related to language access, procedures related to language access, and technical assistance or training materials; Information on current language services contracts, expenditures, and funding sources related to language access; The public-facing responsibilities of principal departments, including designating which principal departments and their subcontractors do and do not have frequent contact with linguistically diverse individuals; and Other covered entities that may be subject to the standards outlined in the language access universal policy. The department may enter into an agreement with a third-party entity to conduct all or part of the assessment. The third-party entity must have demonstrated expertise in working with state governments on language access initiatives, such as developing language access policies or plans. At the conclusion of the assessment and not later than December 31, 2026, the department, the office of new Americans, or the third-party entity is required to create a report that summarizes the findings of the assessment and makes recommendations concerning: Improving efficiency, increasing quality of service, reducing cost, avoiding duplicative work, building on existing best practices, and minimizing administrative burden with respect to the provision of linguistically accessible government services and programs to linguistically diverse individuals; Addressing gaps and improving meaningful service through changes to language access services, practices, and procedures; Evaluating potential technological options for increasing language access, such as artificial intelligence; and Determining what infrastructure is needed to ensure full and sustainable implementation of the standards outlined in the language access universal policy. The department must also maintain a community of practice to focus on implementing the language access universal policy with ongoing observation of best practices in the principal departments. The department must include a summary of the report and assessment in its January 2027 presentation to legislative oversight committees required by the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act". For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $100,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the department for use by the Colorado equity office for personal services. Any money not expended by July 1, 2026, is further appropriated to the Colorado equity office through December 31, 2026. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

• Elizabeth Velasco Democratic · primary
• Junie Joseph Democratic · primary
• Iman Jodeh Democratic · primary

1. May 30, 2025 Governor Signed · executive
2. May 13, 2025 Sent to the Governor · executive
3. May 13, 2025 Signed by the President of the Senate · upper
4. May 13, 2025 Signed by the Speaker of the House · lower
5. May 2, 2025 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · upper
6. May 1, 2025 Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments · upper
7. May 1, 2025 Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole · upper
8. Apr 29, 2025 Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended to Appropriations · upper
9. Apr 25, 2025 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs · upper
10. Apr 23, 2025 House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · lower
11. Apr 22, 2025 House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee · lower
12. Apr 22, 2025 House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole · lower
13. Feb 10, 2025 House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to Appropriations · lower
14. Jan 29, 2025 Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs · lower