Committee advances technical fix to restore FBI background‑check authority for foster placements

Representative Bridal told the committee HB12-98 corrects an unintended repeal that removed statutory authority allowing state and county agencies to run FBI fingerprint-based criminal-history checks required for licensure and foster-care placements. Department of Human Services staff said the change aligns statute with current practice and is necessary to avoid federal noncompliance that could jeopardize Title IV‑E funding for foster placements.

Logan Ellet, provider development manager for the Division of Child Welfare, said Colorado and federal statutes require background investigations for individuals providing out-of-home care, and that the division has been operating in good faith but needs the statutory authority restored to ensure uninterrupted processing. The committee adopted a technical amendment to align the statutory language precisely with FBI requirements and advanced the bill to appropriations on a unanimous 13–0 vote.