§ 26-7-101 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly finds and
declares that:

(a) Colorado children and youth who reside in or have previously resided in an
out-of-home placement deserve and can benefit from the stability and security of
permanent, safe adoptive homes;

(b) In particular, adoption is an important tool to help increase the number of
permanent and stable homes for Colorado's abused and neglected children and
youth; and

(c) Many children and youth who are adopted in Colorado have experienced
prior abuse, neglect, multiple placements, and institutionalization. These prior
experiences often cause physical, psychological, emotional, and developmental
harm that affects these children and youth throughout their lives.

(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that it is the intent of this
article 7 to:

(a) Encourage families of any economic status to adopt eligible children and
youth and to provide such families with benefits that will enable them to meet the
needs of eligible children and youth who meet the criteria for the benefits as
established in this article 7;

(b) Ensure that all families and eligible children and youth in Colorado have
equal opportunities to access the benefits established in this article 7;

(c) Ensure that all families and eligible children and youth in Colorado have
equal access to consistent information, guidance, and practices to ensure that the
needs of each child or youth receive consistent consideration, regardless of the
agency that is administering benefits pursuant to this article 7;

(d) Ensure that families are able to maintain safe and stable homes for the
eligible children and youth they adopt through benefits tailored to accommodate
and support the needs of the adopted eligible children and youth; and

(e) Ensure that any agency providing benefits pursuant to this article 7 has
clear guidance and support in its efforts to help eligible children and youth find and
maintain safe, permanent adoptive homes.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2019: Entire article R&RE, (SB 19-178), ch. 180, p. 2040, � 1, effective August 2.