House panel advances bill to reduce duplicate rules for school‑based before‑and‑after programs

Representative Brett Phillips introduced House Bill 12‑82 to the House Education Committee, saying the measure would reduce duplicative and sometimes conflicting regulations that apply to school‑based before‑and‑after‑school programs.

"This bill addresses duplicative and contradicting regulations for school based before and after school programs," Phillips said, describing how districts must navigate both Colorado Department of Education and Department of Early Childhood rules. He said the amended version shortens the waiver process and removes fees for stringency appeals.

The bill’s strike‑below amendment, presented by co‑sponsor Representative Goldstein, focuses on alternative compliance pathways. Goldstein said the amendment allows certified playground inspectors or public health agencies to satisfy inspection requirements, permits district staff training to meet training standards, requires CDEC to clarify timelines for waiver decisions, and mandates an annual review of the waiver process.

Opponents warned the committee about the risk of creating a two‑tiered system. Althea Gomez, Colorado executive director of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), said she could not support a measure that would permit different health and safety standards based on where care is provided. "EPIC cannot support different sets of regulations for the health and safety of young children based on who owns the building they are in," Gomez said.

Dawn Alexander of the Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado said targeted carve‑outs could accelerate private provider closures and reduce family choice. The Department of Early Childhood’s licensing program manager, Theresa Ribble, told members the amendment addresses most of the department’s concerns but cautioned that setting a minimum timeline for waiver responses and prohibiting fee collection for stringency appeals could create additional workload and cost for the department.

School district witnesses gave concrete examples of the practical burdens created by overlapping systems. Carrie Lockermeier of Adams‑12 said "the bell changes everything," describing how the same adult and building are treated differently when the school day ends. Lisa Hart, Executive Director of Business Services for Adams 12, and other district leaders urged removing duplicative appeals fees and allowing school districts to use certified inspectors and district training to demonstrate compliance.

After adopting Amendment L11 (the strike‑below) by voice/consent, the committee voted to send HB 12‑82, as amended, to the Appropriations Committee. Clerk Beck called a roll‑call vote and the chair announced the bill passed out of committee by a vote of 12 to 0.

The amended bill keeps critical health and safety standards in place, sponsors said, while providing districts clearer and faster avenues to resolve conflicts between CDE and CDEC requirements. The Appropriations Committee will next review any potential fiscal impacts identified as the language moves forward.