HB 25-1018: Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Colorado

Rerevised (03/24/2025) → Revised (03/21/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated from a 'Rerevised' version to a 'Revised' version, reflecting that amendments were adopted on second reading in the Senate rather than being fully finalized. This indicates the bill is in a different stage of the legislative process, moving from final revision to a version ready for potential further action or signing.

TECHNICAL

The header status changed from 'REREVISED' to 'REVISED' and the amendment adoption language was updated to specify 'on Second Reading in the Second House' instead of 'Adopted in the Second House', indicating a procedural update in the bill's legislative journey.

The Senate sponsor list was removed from the document, suggesting either a formatting change or that the sponsors were no longer listed in this version of the bill.

The '3rd Reading Unamended' stamp and date were removed from the document, indicating this version is no longer marked as having passed the third reading without amendments.

Final Act (04/10/2025) → Rerevised (03/24/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was revised to remove formatting notes and update sponsorship information while keeping the core policy language unchanged. The substantive provisions regarding vocational rehabilitation services eligibility, financial assistance rules, and cost containment measures remain the same as the original version.

TECHNICAL

Removed explanatory notes about bill status, signatures, and legislative history that were included in the final act version.

Updated sponsorship information to reflect current House and Senate sponsors instead of the original list.

Changed the document heading from 'Final Act' to 'Rerevised' to indicate this is a working version with amendments included.

Signed Act (04/18/2025) → Final Act (04/10/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill maintains the core structure of HB 25-1018 regarding access to vocational rehabilitation services in Colorado, with changes primarily focused on formatting, signature lines, and minor text corrections rather than substantive policy modifications. The legislative text shows the bill moved from its original version to a final act version ready for the Governor's signature, with corrected names of legislative officers and standardized formatting of the statute amendments.

Scope change

No substantive scope change; the bill's applicability to vocational rehabilitation services remains unchanged

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting and signature lines to reflect final legislative approval with proper officer names and standardized document layout

Minor text corrections in the statute language, including fixing spacing and capitalization inconsistencies in the financial contribution requirements

Added note indicating the bill is prepared for Governor's signature and directing readers to legislative status resources

Reengrossed (02/18/2025) → Signed Act (04/18/2025) · 5 edits · Apr 18, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Colorado's vocational rehabilitation services law to remove financial need as a barrier for most applicants, allowing the Department of Labor and Employment to provide services regardless of income. It also clarifies eligibility criteria to align with federal requirements and establishes a temporary exception allowing financial need testing during periods of cost containment to manage service waitlists.

Scope change

The bill expands eligibility by removing the requirement that applicants must be present in Colorado at the time of application and eliminates the mandate that individuals contribute toward service costs based on financial ability.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the requirement that applicants must be physically present in Colorado when filing for vocational rehabilitation services.

Eliminated the requirement that individuals contribute toward service costs based on their financial ability, except during temporary cost containment periods.

REQUIREMENT

Added a temporary exception allowing the department to consider financial need during cost containment periods to prevent service waitlists, with requirements to engage community partners before implementation.

DEFINITION

Clarified the definition of 'legally and financially responsible relative' to mean the person who identifies the applicant as a dependent for federal income tax purposes.

FISCAL

Maintained existing tuition payment limitations while allowing case-by-case exceptions for out-of-state specialized education when needed for employment outcomes.

Engrossed (02/14/2025) → Reengrossed (02/18/2025) · 3 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to include additional co-sponsors and updated the official version header to reflect amendments adopted in the House of Introduction. The substantive policy text regarding vocational rehabilitation contributions and data reporting requirements remains unchanged from the previous engrossed version.

TECHNICAL

Added three new co-sponsors to the House sponsorship list: Bacon, Duran, and McCluskie.

Updated the version header from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' and revised the amendment adoption language to specify amendments adopted in the House of Introduction rather than on Second Reading.

Added a note indicating the bill passed third reading unamended on February 18, 2025.

Introduced (01/08/2025) → Engrossed (02/14/2025) · 4 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a Senate sponsor and a new reporting requirement. The most significant change is the addition of a mandate for the department to submit annual data on vocational rehabilitation services to legislative committees starting in 2026. Minor technical edits were made to the title of the section and formatting of the statute citations.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a new reporting obligation for the department, while the core eligibility and service provisions remained substantively unchanged.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new Section 1(5) requiring the department to submit annual data on vocational rehabilitation services to the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee and the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee beginning in 2026.

TECHNICAL

Added a second Senate sponsor (Danielson) to the bill's sponsorship list.

Changed the section title from 'rules' to 'report - rules' to reflect the new reporting requirement.

Updated the list of amended statutes to include the addition of subsection (5) rather than listing specific subsections.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

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