(1)(a) The general assembly declares that
information obtained by public agencies in the course of performing their duties
and functions under this title is considered public information under the Colorado
Open Records Act, part 2 of article 72 of title 24, C.R.S. The general assembly,
however, recognizes that certain information obtained in the course of the
implementation of this title is highly sensitive and has an impact on the privacy of
children and members of their families. The disclosure of sensitive information
carries the risk of stigmatizing children; however, absolute confidentiality of such
information may result in duplicated services in some cases, fragmented services in
others, and the delivery of ineffective and costly programs and, in some situations,
may put
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
(1) (a) The general assembly declares that
information obtained by public agencies in the course of performing their duties
and functions under this title is considered public information under the Colorado
Open Records Act, part 2 of article 72 of title 24, C.R.S. The general assembly,
however, recognizes that certain information obtained in the course of the
implementation of this title is highly sensitive and has an impact on the privacy of
children and members of their families. The disclosure of sensitive information
carries the risk of stigmatizing children; however, absolute confidentiality of such
information may result in duplicated services in some cases, fragmented services in
others, and the delivery of ineffective and costly programs and, in some situations,
may put other members of the public at risk of harm. In addition, disclosure may
result in serving the best interests of the child and may be in the public interest.
(b) Furthermore, the general assembly specifically finds that schools, school
districts, and criminal justice agencies attempting to protect children and the
public are often frustrated by their lack of ability to exchange information
concerning disruptive children who may have experienced disciplinary actions at
school or whose actions outside of a school setting may have resulted in contact
with local law enforcement. The general assembly finds that schools, school
districts, and criminal justice agencies are often better able to assist such
disruptive children and to preserve school safety when they are equipped with
knowledge concerning a child's history and experiences. The general assembly,
however, recognizes that any such sharing of information among and between
schools, school districts, and agencies to promote school safety or otherwise to
assist disruptive children mandates an awareness of the responsibility on the part
of those schools, school districts, and agencies receiving or providing the
information that it be used only for its intended and limited purpose as authorized
by law and that the confidential nature of the information be preserved. The general
assembly finds, therefore, that it is desirable to authorize and encourage open
communication among appropriate agencies, including criminal justice agencies,
assessment centers for children, school districts, and schools, in order to assist
disruptive children and to maintain safe schools.
(c) The general assembly further finds that partners in multi-agency
assessment centers for children are often frustrated by their lack of ability to
exchange information with each other when attempting to serve children and the
public. The general assembly finds that assessment centers for children are better
able to assist children when they are equipped with knowledge concerning a child's
history and experiences. The general assembly, however, recognizes that any such
sharing of information among agencies who are part of a multi-agency assessment
center for children mandates an awareness of the responsibility on the part of the
agencies receiving or providing the information that it be used only for its intended
and limited purpose as authorized by law and that the confidential nature of the
information be preserved.
(d) The general assembly recognizes the importance of children receiving
support from all responsible parties and further finds that the state child support
enforcement agency and the delegate child support enforcement units have a need
to exchange information with other state, federal, and local agencies in order to
effectively locate responsible parties; establish paternity and child support,
including child support debt pursuant to section 14-14-104, C.R.S.; enforce support
orders; disburse collected child support payments; and facilitate the efficient and
effective delivery of services under articles 13 and 13.5 of title 26, C.R.S. Therefore,
the general assembly recognizes that the state child support enforcement agency
and the delegate child support enforcement units need access to the records and
databases of the judicial department, the contents of which are otherwise
protected under the provisions of this part 3. The general assembly, however,
recognizes that any such information sharing mandates an awareness of
responsibility on the part of the state child support enforcement agency and the
delegate child support enforcement units receiving information that it be used only
for its intended purposes as authorized by law and in accordance with the
provisions of section 26-13-102.7, C.R.S., and that the confidential nature of the
information be preserved.
(e) The general assembly recognizes the need to make recommendations to
the court concerning the many aspects of a child's legal status, including but not
limited to existing court orders on placement of the child, legal custody of the child,
and orders of protection. Because the population of this state is transitory, and
jurisdictional lines for the purpose of court actions are arbitrary, communication of
certain information available electronically on a statewide basis may assist state
and county agencies, attorneys representing state or county agencies, and
attorneys appointed by the court in making recommendations to the court. The
general assembly recognizes that any such sharing of information among agencies,
attorneys representing agencies, and attorneys appointed by the court mandates
an awareness of the responsibility on the part of these agencies, attorneys
representing agencies, and attorneys appointed by the court in receiving and
providing the information that it be used only for its intended and limited purpose
as authorized by law and that the confidential nature of the information be
preserved.
(f) (I) The general assembly further recognizes the need for the command
authority of military installations under the United States secretary of defense to
receive notice and information regarding any report that is assigned for an
assessment by the state department of human services or a county department of
known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect in which the person having
care of the child in question 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. The general assembly recognizes the need for the state department
of human services and county departments to collect information concerning the
military affiliation of the individual having custody or control of a child who is the
subject of an investigation of child abuse or neglect.
(II) To further the fulfillment of these needs, the state department of human
services and county departments should be able to enter into memorandums of
understanding with the command authority of military installations. The
memorandums of understanding may establish protocols for the sharing of
information related to assessments of known or suspected instances of child abuse
or neglect and for collaboration on the oversight of child abuse or neglect
investigations involving 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.
(III) The general assembly, however, recognizes that any sharing of such
information is critical for an awareness of the responsibility of the involved
agencies and military installations that receive or provide the information that it be
used only for its intended and limited purpose as authorized by law and that the
confidential nature of the information must be preserved.
(IV) The general assembly finds, therefore, that it is desirable to authorize
and encourage open communication between the state department of human
services, county departments, and command authority of military installations to
better serve children and families of Colorado.
(2) Therefore, in an effort to balance the best interests of children and the
privacy interests of children and their families with the need to share information
among service agencies and schools and the need to protect the safety of schools
and the public at large, the general assembly enacts the provisions of this part 3.