Rep. Tony Exum, Sr.

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The bill directs the department of public health and environment (department) to establish a grant program to test for lead in public schools' drinking water. The department will give the highest priority to the oldest public elementary schools, then the oldest public schools that are not elementary schools, and then all other public schools. The department may also consider ability to pay in administering the program. The department is directed to use its best efforts to complete all testing and analysis by June 30, 2020. The public school must provide at least 10% local matching funds and give the test results to its local public health agency, its supplier of water, its school board, and the department. The department may use up to $300,000 per year for 3 years for grants beginning on or after July 1, 2017, from the water quality improvement fund if there is money available after fully funding existing programs. The department shall provide 4 annual reports to the general assembly regarding implementation of the grant program, including any legislative proposals that may be warranted. The bill appropriates $431,803 and 1.3 FTE to the department of public health and environment for the implementation of the act. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current law provides that the department of human services low-income energy assistance fund, the energy outreach Colorado low-income energy assistance fund, and the Colorado energy office low-income energy assistance fund receive conditional funding from the severance tax operational fund through the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 2018. The bill extends the conditional funding through the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 2023. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill requires the state department of human services (state department) and county departments of human or social services (county departments) to provide notice and to collect and share information with the command authority of national military installations regarding any report received of known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect in which the person having custody or control of the child is a member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces assigned to that military installation. The state department and county departments may enter into memorandums of understanding with military installations establishing protocols for the sharing of information and for collaboration on the investigations into child abuse or neglect by a member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces. The state board of human services shall promulgate rules related to the collection and sharing of information. The bill allows designated authorities at the military base of assignment or installation for the member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces to have access to reports of child abuse or neglect. Reports of known or suspected child abuse or neglect must include the military affiliation of any person who has custody or control of the child who is the subject of the investigation of child abuse or neglect, if such individual is a member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

For the 3 income tax years prior to January 1, 2017, a residential individual who has a federal adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less may claim a refundable state income tax credit for child care expenses. The tax credit is equal to 25% of eligible child care expenses that the individual incurred during the taxable year, up to a maximum amount of $500 for a single dependent or $1,000 for 2 or more dependents. The bill extends the tax credit for 3 more income tax years. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill requires the state treasurer to deposit $1 million of the proceeds from the tax on insurance policy premiums in the local firefighter safety and disease prevention fund for each of the 3 fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 2017. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill requires a residential landlord: To provide each tenant with a copy of a written rental agreement signed by the parties; Upon receiving any payment made in person by a tenant with cash or a money order, to contemporaneously provide the tenant with a receipt indicating the amount the tenant paid and the date of payment; and Upon receiving any payment with cash or money order that is not delivered in person by a tenant and if requested by a tenant, to provide the tenant with a receipt indicating the amount the tenant paid, the recipient, and the date of payment. This requirement does not apply if there is already an existing procedure that provides a tenant with a record of the payment received that indicates the amount the tenant paid, the recipient, and the date of payment. The landlord may provide the tenant with an electronic copy of the agreement or the receipt, unless the tenant requests a paper copy. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill allows an employer to participate in a voluntary firefighter cancer benefits program, as a multiple employer health trust to provide benefits to firefighters by paying contributions into the established trust. The bill requires the trust to provide benefits to each firefighter based on the cancer diagnosis and award level. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Currently, the department of revenue issues special license plates to members and veterans of the United States Army special forces. The plates are restricted to people whose orders or DD214 form show an awarded prefix '3' or suffix 'S' or a designation of '5G', 18/180 series MOS, special forces tab, OSS, or UNPIK-8240. The bill removes the ability to get the special license plate based on an awarded 'S' suffix. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)